IPL 2021 | KKR vs PBKS: It's form vs inconsistency as Kolkata take on Punjab

An in-form Kolkata Knight Riders will take on an inconsistent Punjab Kings in Dubai on Friday. While KKR are now looking towards cementing a place in the playoffs, PBKS would want to go all guns blazing for that flickering hope of getting into the top 4. 

The Knight Riders certainly scripted a redemption during the UAE leg in this season of IPL after winning three out of the four games that they played. The Eoin Morgan-led side will now be coming into this match on the back of a win against Delhi Capitals. 

The KKR side did suffer some hiccups during the course of the match but eventually clinched a win by 3 wickets while chasing 128 in 20 overs, courtesy a responsible innings from Nitish Rana and a quick-fire cameo from Sunil Narine. 

On the other hand, PBKS struggled against Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai side was handed a target of 136 runs and were reduced to 16/2 but Punjab were not able to capitalise on the early breakthroughs that they got and eventually lost the match. 

This has been a major issue with PBKS and a similar instance was witnessed during their encounter against RR. Punjab needed 4 off the last over and Kartik Tyagi was able to defend it. 

Talking about the previous clash in the tournament between the two sides, KKR etched a win by 5 wickets after chasing down 124 runs in less than 17 overs. Morgan’s troops would have a slight edge against the Punjab side considering the way they fared in the last match. 

Match details

Match: KKR vs PBKS, 45th Match, Indian Premier League 2021

Date: Friday, October 01, 2021

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Telecast: Star Sports Network, Disney Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch in Dubai had something on offer for the batsmen during the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

Both the teams were off to a flying start during the course but it was a complacent performance and lack of application from the Royals batters that they were restricted to a lesser total. On the other hand, RCB, despite losing a couple of wickets in quick succession went on to chase the target pretty comfortably. 

The track is expected to provide some assistance to the batsmen when KKR lock horns with PBKS and with the kind of batting fire power that the two sides have, a high-voltage drama can be expected. 

Introduction of Venkatesh Iyer

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had tweeted, “Do not forget this name - Venkatesh Iyer!”. Well, the flamboyant cricketer’s views on Iyer weren’t different from others. 

The introduction of Venkatesh Iyer in the top-order has done wonders for KKR. The Knight Riders have been able to get steady starts, courtesy him and Shubman Gill and that too at a brisk pace. 

Apart from giving some good starts, Iyer can also chip in with a few overs. Well, this lad has covered all the bases up till now and the Kolkata team management would be wanting him to stick to what he has been doing. 

PBKS’ woes

Where to start? The batting collapse? Disappointing bowling at crucial junctions? 

If the PBKS fans and supporters have to choose one out of these then it would be the middle-order batting failure. Despite having some big names in the line up, the Punjab side has failed to leave an impression. In the last game as well, it was only Aiden Markram who was holding fort from one end while losing partners at the other. 

In comparison to batting, the bowlers have still produced some good performances. Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar and Arshdeep Singh are some of the names who have brought positivity in the Punjab Kings while Nathan Ellis was clinical in the match against MI. 

Team News

KKR: The Kolkata Knight Riders are in good touch at the moment and are looking stable as well. They just need to stick to the basics and continue with what they have been doing. 

PBKS: PBKS are looking at the exit gates from the tournament because of themselves. They have failed to capitalise the starts that they got in crunch games while have failed to take pressure as well. If they want positive results, they need to hold their nerves in critical situations. 

Probable XI

KKR: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna

PBKS: Lokesh Rahul (c) (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.

CE Fantasy XI

KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Aiden Makram, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Narine (C), Harpreet Brar, Varun Chakravarthy, Lockie Ferguson (VC), Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh