IPL 2023 | Predicted Playing XI for Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
In the 53rd fixture of the TATA IPL edition, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Punjab Super Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The game is expected to take place on May 8 at 19:30 local time.
This is a contest between two similarly ranked sides. Both teams find themselves on the same boat, desperate to inch their way forward in the points table. The home side KKR, are currently ranked at number 8 position in the points table with only 4 wins out of 10 fixtures whereas PBKS are just one place ahead of KKR and find themselves ranked at number 7 positions claiming 5 wins out of 10 fixtures.
As we lead into this crucial fixture, let us shed light on their possible playing Xl combinations and the probable impact players.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Openers
Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz is in phenomenal batting form this season. He is averaging 26.14 with the bat while his strike rate is at a staggering high of over 144. The 22 year old achieved his best IPL knock by notching a breathtaking 81 (39) against GT in a losing cause.
Jason Roy on the other hand has also looked in fine touch this season. In only 4 games, the English batting star has accumulated 180 runs at an impressive average of 45 whilst his strike rate remains at an astronomical high of 160.
Middle Order
Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine
Iyer has looked in dazzling form with the bat this season. He is currently averaging around 30 and has maintained an impressive strike rate of 150. His best IPL innings of the season came against MI where he single handedly demolished the Mumbai bowling attack by scoring a record 104 (51).
The skipper Nitish Rana has claimed four 30 plus score in 10 completed innings which also includes his career best of 75 against SRH which came in a losing cause. The 30-year-old has been scoring at an impressive strike rate of around 150 this season.
Rinku Singh is in explosive form this season and has earned the reputation for unleashing sheer carnage with his bat at the back end of the innings. His lightning cameo of 48 (21) against GT will remain etched in the memories of many KKR fans for years to come.
Andre Russell has had a quiet season with the bat as per his standards and has only amassed 166 runs in 10 completed innings at an average of just around 20. Although he hasn't looked at his fluent best, he can surely turn things around for his side if he gets his rhythm right.
Sunil Narine hasn't had much success with the bat or with the ball this season. He is averaging 2.8 with the bat and nearly 40 with the ball this season. But considering the amount of experience he is having in franchise cricket, the KKR think tank will likely persist with him.
Lower Order
Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
Shardul Thakur has been in modest form with the bat and the ball. In their last fixture against SRH, Thakur bowled a brilliant spell of 2/23 that was instrumental in derailing the SRH chase.
Harshit Rana has only had 2 games under his belt so far but has been very tidy with the ball going at around 7.5 RPO whilst averaging 26.
Vaibhav Arora has erred on the higher side this season going at around 10 RPO but did a commendable in the last game by providing crucial breakthroughs for his side during the 17th and the 19th.
Varun Chakravarthy has been the leading wicket taker for KKR this season and has bagged 2 man of the match awards so far in the tournament for his impressive figures of 1/20 and 3/27 against SRH and RCB respectively.
Predicted Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders
Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
Impact Players
Suyansh Sharma
Ankul Roy
David Wiese
Narayan Jagadeesan
Kulwant Khejroliya
Punjab Super Kings
Openers
Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan
Prabhsimran Singh has accumulated 219 runs in 10 innings at an impressive strike rate of over 150 which includes his match winning innings of 60 (34) against RR.
Dhawan has looked in scintillating form this season. His batting average is at an astronomical high of over 58 whilst his strike rate is touching just about 150.
Middle Order
Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran
Short is known for his all round capabilities and is quite handy with the bat and the ball. He hasn't fired in the ongoing season but with a career best T20 score of 100* he can be a very threatening customer to deal with.
Liam Livingstone is in blazing form this season. In their previous fixture against MI, Livingstone launched a scathing attack against his English counterpart Jofra Archer and smacked him to all parts of the ground destroying his figures as a result.
Jitesh Sharma has earned the reputation for notching some quickfire cameos for his side. The PBKS wicket keeper batsman has been scoring at an exhilarating rate and has played some match winning cameos of 21 (11), 27 (16), 25 (7), and 21 (10) against KKR, RR, MI and CSK respectively.
Sikandar Raza has been the savior for PBKS this season. He is averaging 25 with the bat and nearly 38 with the ball and has been awarded the man of the match award for his valuable knock of 57 (41) which came against LSG in a winning cause.
Sam Curran has got a few runs for his side this season and is averaging around 27 whilst his strike rate is hovering around 143. He played a match winning knock of 55 (29) against MI and picked up figures of 3/31 against LSG in a winning cause.
Lower Order
Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Harpreet Brar has managed to curb the scoring rate down whilst going at just under 7.6 RPO. Rishi Dhawan hasn't been used a lot this season but can be probing with the new ball as he demonstrated the other day against Rohit Sharma.
Rahul Chahar has been fairly economical with the ball this season going at just under 8.4 RPO. He hasn't done a great deal of justice to his wickets column but has done well to keep a lid on the scoring rate.
Arshdeep Singh has by far been the most successful bowler for PBKS this season. He is currently the highest wicket taker for PBKS with 15 scalps in just 10 games.
Predicted Playing XI of Punjab Kings
Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (Capt), Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Players
Gurnoor Brar
Kagiso Rabada
Atharva Taide
Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Shahrukh Khan
 "Datrim")
