The Indian Premier League is on the stage of the business end of the tournament as teams look to make the final cut for the playoffs. Today it’s the Eoin Morgan led Kolkata Knight Riders who take on the KL Rahul led Kings XI Punjab at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This match will be very significant for both sides as they have a bleak chance of qualifying for the playoffs as they are placed right in the middle of the points table.
As we know the top three spots will be accumulated by Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Though currently analysing the points table, if Kolkata Knight Riders win today against Kings XI Punjab they will also be in contention to finish top three in the points table as they’ll be even square with the other three franchises.
On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab will be banking on their sublime form since the last three matches. The KL Rahul led side is on a three-match winning streak as they have defeated Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in successive matches. Which is why Kings XI Punjab are most likely to bank on their form and look to win the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Let’s take a look at five key players to watch out for when Kolkata Knight Riders lock horns with Kings XI Punjab:
1. Lockie Ferguson
The moustache man from New Zealand has looked in magnificent form in this IPL 2020. Though he has played just two matches this season, he has done enough to show what he is capable of for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Top 5 Flops Of The Season So Far
In the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lockie Ferguson picked up three wickets in the match plus he went on to further pick two more wickets in the super over. Which means the bowler picked up five wickets in his first game for Kolkata Knight Riders contributing heavily towards the side’s win.
2. KL Rahul
The Kings XI Punjab skipper has been one player who has single-handedly batted through for his side throughout the season. There have rare failures from the man in form as he along with Mayank Agarwal have been key to Kings XI Punjab’s emergent success this season.
Apart from batting and captaining the side, KL Rahul has also been wicket keeping where he hasn’t let down his side even once. The other day against Sunrisers Hyderabad KL Rahul plucked a sharp catch down the leg side as warner tried to reverse sweep Murugan Ashwin.
3. Sunil Narine
The Caribbean Southpaw began this season-opening the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders but somehow just couldn’t get going. Eventually, there came a point when in the match against Kings XI Punjab he was reported for a suspect action. Narine then went on to make minor changes to his action after which he was cleared to bowl.
Sunil Narine was included back in the playing XI against Delhi Capitals at Abu Dhabi where he came in to bat at 5 and ended up scoring 64 runs off 32 deliveries in a 100 run partnership with Nitish Rana.
4. Chris Gayle
The universe boss has made his way back in the playing XI and he hasn’t failed to cause an impact. In the first match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Chris Gayle notched a match-winning fifty along with KL Rahul to edge Punjab out of the losing streak.
Also read: Chris Gayle Is A Very Smart And Clever Player – Sachin Tendulkar
In the following match against MI, which was also double over the game, Gayle hit that monstrous hit off Trent Boult in the super over to ensure Kings XI Punjab that victory against the almighty Mumbai Indians.
5. Nitish Rana
The Delhi batsman was having a disappointing run this season as he failed to score a single fifty in 10 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite repetitive failures, the Kolkata Knight Riders team management backed him and sent him to open against Delhi Capitals where he in a 100 run partnership with Sunil Narine scored a vital knock of 81 runs off 53 balls to take Kolkata Knight Riders to a respectable total of 194.
After completion of his fifty, Nitish Rana dedicating his fifty was seen rolling out a jersey by the name of his father in law ‘Surinder Singh’ who passed away the previous night.