Kolkata: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) returned home to the Eden Gardens to take on an in-form Chennai Super Kings side on Sunday.
KKR suffered a narrow loss in Delhi but can take a lot of heart from the bowling effort in the last game against Delhi Capitals.
The Super Kings on the other hand have been in good touch winning 4 of their last 5 matches to set up base at the top half of the table.
Historically, this fixture has seen some iconic clashes between the two, with the 2012 IPL Final being one of KKR's biggest ever wins against the 4 time champions.
The KKR have won 10 of the 28 played against the Super Kings and will be looking to get one over them on Sunday.
The KKR registered a 6 wicket win the last time the team faced the Super Kings, chasing down a modest total of 131 with 9 balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium in 2022.
KKR bowlers on the night were at their economical best never allowing the Super Kings to put their foot on the accelerator. Umesh Yadav led the attack beautifully that night picking up 2/20 in his 4 overs.
With a hint of rain expected sometime in the afternoon, the conditions at the Eden could favour the pacers on Sunday and the KKR bowling unit will be hoping for some help from a track that has so far produced some high scoring contests.
The KKR think tank would also be keeping an eye out on the weather forecast as rain could potentially make the toss extremely crucial and force them into last minute adjustments to the playing XI.
Englishman Jason Roy who looked decent on debut against the Delhi Capitals would be looking to make an impact once again and KKR leading run scorer Venkatesh Iyer will also look to be back among the runs after an indifferent outing in Delhi.
Andre Russell looks to have also rediscovered his form over the last couple of games, chipping in with some important runs against Mumbai and Delhi.
Varun Chakravarthy with 9 wickets is KKR's leading wicket taker and the Knights will be counting on his guile to put pressure on the opposition.
With 21 wickets against the Super Kings, Sunil Narine leads the pack for most wickets in the fixture and the talismanic spinner will be looking to deliver once again when KKR host the Super Kings on Sunday. Narine who has picked 6 wickets with the ball so far this season will also be hoping to contribute with the bat on Sunday.
With a sold out stadium ready to back the boys, Sunday’s fixture has all the makings of a classic at the Eden and the KKR will be looking to give their all in search of a crucial win. (UNI)
