IPL 2020, Match 46 preview: KKR vs KXIP: Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI

Match 46 of the tournament will be between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Sharjah. KKR are currently fourth on the table, while KXIP stand fifth on the points table. KKR are two-time champions of the tournament, while KXIP are yet to win their maiden one.

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has reached its final week before the commencement of the playoffs. Match 46 of the tournament will see a clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Sharjah. 

Team Composition 
Both the teams are fairly balanced and players of both the teams have done their jobs in their respective arenas quite well. KKR have a slight bowling-heavy side, comparatively

Current form
KXIP's young guns, who were slightly lousy initially, have bounced back ferociously of late. KKR, on the other hand, have slumped slightly compared to their initial fire. KKR are fourth, while KXIP are fifth on the points table. 

Head-to-head
The teams have clashed a total of 26 times, of which KKR have won 18 matches, while KXIP have won just eight. However, in their first clash this IPL season, KKR had won by just two runs in Abu Dhabi.

Weather and pitch report 
The weather in Sharjah is all likely to be around 34 degrees. The pitch at the ground, with short boundaries, has deteriorated over time. Any score around 170, with decent bowling, will be tough to chase. 

Probable 11
KKR: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan (C), Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy,
KXIP: KL Rahul (C&WK), Mandeep Singh/Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan/James Neesham, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh,

Dream 11 Team
Batsmen: Shubman Gill (vc) , Nitish Rana, Chris Gayle- Gill and Rana can get off to a good start, while Gayle can smash in the middle. Gill’s powerful performance crowns him as the vice-captain. 
Wicketkeeper: KL Rahul (c), Dinesh Karthik- The wicketkeeper-batsmen can smash the ball as per the requirement of the situation. Rahul’s consistency makes him the captain. 
Allrounders: Sunil Narine, Glenn Maxwell- The all-rounders, Narine and Maxwell, can perform both with the bat and the ball as per the situation. Both men have a new-born fire in them.
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Varun Chakravarthy, and Lockie Ferguson- The wristy spinner Chakravarthy can get the major breakthroughs, owing to his fiery form of late. while the remaining pacers can restrict the opposition to a chasable total, who have been commendable so far.

Players to look out for
Shubman Gill: The young gun of KKR has been a constant hitter with the bat. However, he is often seen playing slower innings, that puts pressure on the middle-order.
Mandeep Singh: The star batsman of KXIP has been unable to put on a big show with the bat. His big performance will be awaited in the following crucial matches.