Preview: M18- KKR vs KXIP
What
Kings XI Punjab will have an opportunity to displace the Kolkata Knight Riders from the top of the VIVO IPL 2018 standings when the two teams come up against each other in Match 18.
KKR and KXIP have three wins apiece, though the former have played one match more than KXIP’s three. KKR sit atop the standings, courtesy a superior net run rate. Both teams come into this match riding on superlative performances in their respective previous matches. KKR took the confidence of a resounding win against the Delhi Daredevils at home when they travelled to Jaipur and humbled the Rajasthan Royals in their fortress. KXIP too have the confidence of consecutive wins behind them; first, they defeated the Chennai Super Kings by a narrow margin of 4 runs, and most recently handed Sunrisers Hyderabad their first defeat of the season.
The two captains in this match – Dinesh Karthik and Ravichandran Ashwin – have read the game well, have been aggressive with their decision making, and have impressed with how they’ve utilised the resources at their disposal. Which one of them will be able to outwit the other?
When
21 April 2018, 1600Hrs (IST)
Where
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Impact Batsmen
Chris Gayle has now won KXIP two matches in a row, and his performances would have not only set expectations among fans and within the team, but also set fear among bowlers. Earlier in the season, Gayle had said he “hoped to hurt bowlers”, and after his century against SRH, he told iplt20.com (Chris Gayle) he “wanted to show who was in-charge”. In this match Gayle will be tested by Sunil Narine, who has kept him quiet in the past, and Kuldeep Yadav.
In the KKR line-up, Robin Uthappa has been striking the ball beautifully – though he will disappointed at not converting his starts to big scores. The batsman from Karnataka appears to be at ease despite being given a new role – that of batting at number three; while in the past he has batted conservatively and looked to bat long, this season he has been unafraid to play his strokes early on and has batted aggressively right through. Uthappa’s strike-rate this season is 140.65, and more than 73% of his runs have been scored through boundaries. And then there’s Nitish Rana, who has contributed with bat and ball, and won himself the Man of the Match in the last two matches
Impact Bowlers
Notwithstanding the fact that the surface at the Eden Gardens hasn’t been as friendly to spinners as it once used to be, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb ur Rahman will have a huge role to play in this contest.
Team Head to Head
Overall: Matches – 22, Kolkata Knight Riders won – 14, Kings XI Punjab won – 7
At the Eden Gardens: Matches – 9, Kolkata Knight Riders won – 7, Kings XI Punjab won – 2
Kings XI Punjab have lost more matches to the Knight Riders than they have lost to any other opponent. KXIP haven’t won a match at the Eden Gardens in their last five visits to the venue; the last time they won at the venue was in 2012.
Trivia
Chris Gayle Vs. Piyush Chawla in the IPL: Runs scored – 103, Balls faced – 57, Sixes hit – 9, Dismissals – 1, Strike Rate – 180.70!
Chris Gayle Vs. Sunil Narine in the IPL: Runs scored – 40, Balls faced – 45, Strike Rate – 88.89.
KXIP have the best scoring rate in the Poweplay overs in VIVO IPL 2018 – 10.29 & the best economy rate in the Powerplay overs – 7.46.
What Next
Both teams will be seen in action next in the national capital Delhi, for their respective away fixtures against the Delhi Daredevils. The Kolkata Knight Riders will enjoy a long 5-day break before their match on April 27. Kings XI Punjab will be seen in action on April 23.