Tuesday, 16 April 2013

IPL 2013: Kolkata Knight Riders to combat Kings XI Punjab today

Kings XI Punjab are a wounded lot and there seems to be no respite in store for them with the resurgent Knight Riders from Kolkata at their doorstep.The problem for Punjab starts right at the top with Gilchrist and Mandeep Singh yet to do justice to their reputations.Punjab's saving grace has been David Hussey. With 90 runs in the last three matches, including two 40-plus scores, the Aussie has proven why he is considered one of the most effective batsmen in the shortest format.The PCA Stadium pitch here has maintained its pacer-friendly nature and it was evident when Chennai Super Kings' medium pacers scalped seven of Punjab's batsmen in their 10-wicket win last week. Considering the three-pronged pace attack that Punjab employs, this fact might bring some cheer.The Kings XI management is also mulling a change in the team, with either Luke Pomersbach or David Miller expected to play in place of Ryan Harris.Kolkata have relied on the services of their slower bowlers, led by Sunil Narinem, to do the damage to their rivals. While they had gone for Sri Lankan Sachithra Senanayake in the previous game, Aussie speedster Brett Lee may be back given the nature of the track.Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir looks to be in sublime touch with 175 runs in four matches. England's Eoin Morgan too has given the Knight Riders solidity in the middle order with 114 runs in four matches.With the likes of Kallis, Yusuf Pathan, Manoj Tiwary in their ranks, Knight Riders have no dearth of class but they certainly do lack consistency.

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