IPL 2021 preview: Desperate Kolkata Knight Riders hunts for win against unpredictable Punjab Kings
The continuing Indian Premier League is the 14th season of the profitable Twenty20 league. Punjab Kings has not won the IPL title to date, despite having finished as runner-up before. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders is a former two-time champion but has struggled for the past few years.
FollowThe Indian Premier League 2021 keeps coming up with surprises with each passing game. In the meantime, another surprise could be on the cards, as Punjab Kings takes on former champion Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 21 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday.
PBKS continues its hunt for its maiden IPL title, expecting its fortunes to change under KL Rahul's captaincy. Meanwhile, KKR has not really clicked as a title contender, despite winning it on the previous two occasions. Nonetheless, it could all happen in this game, as we present the preview of it.
Current form
Both the teams have played five matches each so far. While PBKS has won just a couple and three losses, it remains sixth. KKR has won just a game and has suffered four defeats, thus lurking at the bottom of the table.
Team combination
As for the teams, PBKS has a balanced side, while more capped talents in batting make it an overwhelming batting side. Meanwhile, judging by skipper KL Rahul's form, it would require something special from the KKR bowlers to stop him.
For KKR, it is a bowling-heavy side, while equal capped recruits in all departments make its bowling trustworthy. In the meantime, it would be interesting to see how the side's ace spinner Varun Chakravarthy impacts and blazing all-rounder Andre Russell gets going.
Injury concerns
None of the sides has any injury concerns.
Head-to-head
Both have clashed on 27 occasions, with KKR winning 18 and PBKS winning nine. Of the 22 matches in India, KKR leads 16-6. It would be their maiden clash in Ahmedabad.
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Weather and pitch report
The weather in Ahmedabad would be scorching, with around 43 degrees of temperature and 16% humidity. The track could stay slow and the team winning the toss might look to bat first.
Probable XI
PBKS: KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Jhye Richardson, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami.
KKR: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Andre Russell, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna, Pat Cummins and Shivam Mavi.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Mayank, Gayle, Tripathi, Rana- Rana is sure to give the perfect start, while Gayle can come in at number three and get going. Meanwhile, Mayank and Tripathi are sure to consolidate in the middle.
Wicketkeeper: Rahul (vc)- He is a no-brainer here, considering his lethal form with the bat as an opener and should be the deputy skipper.
All-rounders: Hooda, Russell- Hooda has been doing decently with the bat and contributing minutely with the ball as well. Russell is heavily expected to contribute with the ball and can go all guns blazing with the bat on any given day, thus making him the skipper.
Bowlers: Arshdeep, Shami, Chakravarthy, Cummins- As for the pace attack, Shami is a must-have owing to his prolific seam bowling, while Arshdeep has been doing great of late. Also, Chakravarthy is to dominate with his unpredictable spin, while Cummins is sure to make an impact with his pace and can contribute with the bat as well towards the end.
Match details
Date and day: April 26, 2021 (Monday)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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