After a successful stint away from home, the Kolkata Knight Riders are back home at the Eden Gardens and are set to play their second home game against the Lucknow Super Giants. KKR have had a terrific start to their season with winning 3 out of their first 4 games with a couple of crucial away wins. KKR will be aiming to make their home leg a memorable one as they aim to get back to winning ways after a loss in their previous game. LSG have been a formidable unit in this tournament and it will be a clash of two strong teams and the fans can expect a humdinger of a contest.
HEAD TO HEAD:
LSG have the edge over KKR in terms of head-to-head contests although KKR have come tantalizingly close to victory in 2 of their 3 encounters in the past couple of seasons. The Knights will be hopeful to set the record straight from the upcoming clash.
PITCH AND GROUND CONDITIONS:
The Eden Gardens has served many kinds of pitches over the years, but the pattern for the past few years has been of the high-scoring pitches. The par-score last game was around 200, and thus one can expect another great batting surface at the Eden for the upcoming game. However, one thing to be noted here is that it’s an afternoon game due to the heat. A few cracks might open up in the pitch allowing the spinners to come into play later in the game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Shreyas Iyer
Skipper Shreyas has had a few good knocks in the early stages of the tournament where he’s helped steer his team to victory. Shreyas will be hoping to have a big impact innings against LSG and steer his team to yet another win.
Andre Russell
Whenever he’s on the field, all eyes are on Andre Russell. Especially while batting at the Eden Gardens, everyone hopes he tonks sixes everywhere and he delivers almost all the time. In the upcoming game against LSG, Dre-Russ will be eyeing to replicate his performance against SRH and take his team to victory.
Phil Salt
Phil Salt has truly solidified his position at the top of the order with a couple of impactful knocks. As another game inches closer, Salt will be hoping to provide another explosive start to put KKR in the pole position to win the game.
KEY MATCHUPS:
KL Rahul vs Mitchell Starc
A terrific contest is on the cards where it will be Mitchell Starc with the new ball against the LSG Skipper KL Rahul. KL has been susceptible against left-arm pace and Starc will be looking to exploit that specific weakness. Mitch will be eyeing the wicket of KL which will put KKR ahead in the game.
Rinku Singh vs Ravi Bishnoi
Two young stars who have become proven performers at the IPL level will do battle in the upcoming clash as a great match-up between Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi is in sight. Bishnoi has been terrific through the middle overs picking important wickets, while Rinku has become the star finisher for KKR. Both will be looking to put pressure on each other to put their teams ahead in the contest.
All in all, this KKR vs LSG match promises to be a thrilling one with both teams eyeing two important points and clinching an important victory.
