Can KKR Keep Their Playoff Hopes Alive Against PBKS? Predicted XIs, Pitch Report, Fantasy Tips

PBKS beat KKR by seven runs in their last meeting (IPLT20.com)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a riveting encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8. As the IPL 2023 season reaches its climax, both teams are vying for a crucial victory in their quest for a playoff berth. 

The two teams have met earlier in the tournament, with the Punjab Kings edging out the Knight Riders by a narrow seven-run margin.

Team Preview

Kolkata Knight Riders

The stakes are high for the Knight Riders, who find themselves languishing in eighth place with only four wins in ten games. Their path to the playoffs hinges on winning their remaining four games, making the clash against Punjab a must-win affair. Nitish Rana’s men will be looking to exact revenge in front of their home crowd, with the added motivation of keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Their last outing against SunRisers Hyderabad saw them emerge victorious by defending a total of 171 runs, with Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh making significant contributions. Varun Chakravarthy was the star of the show, defending nine runs in the final over to clinch a five-run win and the Player of the Match award.

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have won five out of their ten games and currently sit in seventh place in the points table. They too are in dire need of a win, as a loss here could potentially derail their IPL campaign.

In their previous match against the Mumbai Indians, they posted an imposing total of 214 runs, only to fall short in a high-scoring encounter. Arshdeep Singh had a forgettable outing, conceding a whopping 66 runs from his 3.5 overs.

Match Details

Date & Time: May 8, 7:30 PM IST

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Live Streaming and Broadcasting: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network

Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens pitch has been a happy hunting ground for T20 cricket over the past three years. In 23 matches, the average first innings score in these games has been a formidable 176 runs, indicative of the high-scoring nature of the pitch. With the conditions expected to favour batsmen, both teams will be looking to put up a substantial total on the board. Pacers have been the more successful bowlers at this venue, accounting for 67% of the wickets taken, while spinners have only managed to claim 33% of the scalps.

Probable Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders

Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.

Impact Players

N Jagadessan, Anukul Roy, Suysah Sharma, Lockie Ferguson and Kulwant Khejroliya.

Punjab Kings

Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis

Impact Players

Harpreet Brar, Sikandar Raza, Atharva Taide, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-keepers: Jitesh Sharma, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Batters: Jason Roy, Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan,

All-rounders: Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran

Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Nathan Ellis

Captain: Jason Roy

Vice-captain: Sam Curran

Prediction

Punjab Kings are favourites to win the contest considering their current form, recent head-to-head record and balanced team composition.

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