Match 46 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will feature war as Kolkata Knight Riders will take on the Kings XI Punjab.
Both the teams are frontrunners for that number 4 spot in the IPL points table. KXIP have to win all their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs on their own terms. Losing this match would reduce KXIP to still win their remaining matches and then depend upon the net run rate equation. KXIP is coming off a phenomenal come from behind win against SRH. They have won four of their last matches, three against the top 3 teams of the points table.
KKR, on the other hand, will have to register 2 wins in their remaining three matches as well. They are coming off a great win against the Delhi Capitals.
Kings XI Punjab
KXIP has been a great form. They were at the bottom of the points table, however, winning four matches has them in contention for the number 4 spot. However, the injury of Mayank Agarwal has been an issue. Their top-order has therefore looked inconsistent. Pooran has looked good in the middle order but should get more support from Maxwell.
Their bowlers have looked great with Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Arshdeep Singh, Murugan Ashwin, and Ravi Bishnoi.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR finally got Sunil Narine in and the results speak for themselves. KKR were again struggling as Shubham Gill, Rahul Tripathi, and Dinesh Karthik lost their wickets early. However, they made two changes of opening with Nitish Rana and promoting Sunil Narine at number 5. That immediately paid dividends as Rana scored 81 runs off 53 balls and Narine scored 64 runs off 32 balls.
Their bowling looked fantastic as well with Pat Cummins taking early wickets and sending the in-form Shikhar Dhawan back to the pavilion. However, the start of the show was indeed Varin Chakravarthy who took 5 wickets!
Fantasy XI team
KL RAHUL (11) (C) – Rahul has been extremely consistent in this IPL. He has been a run machine and will be our captain.
SUNIL NARINE (VC) – Narine scored 64 runs off 32 balls in his last match. He can bowl in any situation as well. He’ll be our vice-captain.
NICHOLAS POORAN (9) – Pooran is coming off single-handedly winning the match for KXIP against DC. He takes care of the KXIP middle-order as well.
SHUBMAN GILL (9.5) – Gill hasn’t been in good form but he certainly has the potential to score big.
CHRIS GAYLE (9) – Gayle has been fairly consistent despite being on the sidelines for the majority of the tournament.
NITISH RANA (8.5) – Rana scored 81 runs off 53 balls in his last match. He can replicate these performances while opening the inning.
VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY (8.5) – He took an impressive 5-wicket hall in his last match.
MOHAMMED SHAMI (9) – Shami has been in great form and has always been among the wickets.
MURUGAN ASHWIN (8) – M. Ashwin has looked really good in the chances he has got so far.
LOCKIE FERGUSON (8.5) – Ferguson is known for picking up wickets in the middle overs. His raw pace is very effective in UAE pitches.
PAT CUMMINS (8.5) – Cummins is coming off an impressive 53 against MI. Also, he has some rhythm with his bowling.
PREDICTION
KXIP has been really good in their last four matches. KKR has shown good results, however, consistency has been an issue for them. Kings XI Punjab will therefore defeat Kolkata Knight Riders.
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