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Preview: M49 - KXIP vs KKR

08 May, 2017

Preview: M49 - KXIP vs KKR

08 May, 2017

Preview: M49 - KXIP vs KKR

What

Kings XI Punjab will come up against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 49 of VIVO IPL 2017.

KXIP have a 5-6 win-loss record this season. They have not won more than two matches in a row this season, and the time has now come for them to better that performance. They need to win their remaining three matches if they hope to stay in the hunt for the playoffs. In their most-recent match, KXIP, despite posting 189 batting first, lost to the Gujarat Lions; Glenn Maxwell’s boys were sloppy on the field and showed lack of match-awareness. KXIP will have to fill a huge void in their XI, with Hashim Amla parting ways with the team to join up with the South African national team. Amla is KXIP’s leading run-getter – and his absence could mean the team could revert to using Manan Vohra as opener.

The Kolkata Knight Riders must be riding high on confidence after their demolition of Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous match. Powered by Sunil Narine’s half-century – the joint-fastest half-century in the IPL – and his rollicking partnership with Chris Lynn, KKR chased down the target of 159 quite comfortably in 15.1 overs. KKR have one foot in the door for the playoffs, and the focus will now shift to confirming that playoff berth and also look to finishing the regular league season among the top two teams.

When

09 May 2017, 2000 Hrs IST

Where

IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali

The Protagonists

This is a huge game for KXIP, and they need the big players - Martin Guptill, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller (who will possibly fill in for Hashim Amla) – to give a good account of themselves.

KKR have not one or two explosive batsmen, but four men who are among the runs. The out-of-the-box thinking to utilise Sunil Narine’s big-hitting skills is paying off. KKR have plenty of firepower even otherwise in Chris Lynn, who has a strike-rate of 201 this season. Among others, watch out for the KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa (who is likely to return to the KKR XI), who have generally looked to bat long.

Head to Head

Overall: Matches played – 20, Kings XI Punjab Won – 6, Kolkata Knight Riders Won – 14

Since 2014: Matches played – 9, Kings XI Punjab Won – 1, Kolkata Knight Riders Won – 8

Trivia

Kolkata Knight Riders have clearly dominated Kings XI Punjab in recent times; KKR have defeated KXIP in each of the last eight matches between the two teams. The last time KXIP defeated KKR was on 26 April 2014!

No team has realised more 50-plus scores from the batsmen batting in the top three than Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR’s three top have made 12 50-plus scores this season

What Next

For Kings XI Punjab: Return fixture (Away) Vs. Mumbai Indians, May 11

For Kolkata Knight Riders: Return fixture (Home) Vs. Mumbai Indians, May 13 (8pm)

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