KKR vs KXIP Match 36 Preview: Will it rain(runs)again ?

The last time we saw Kings XI Punjab Play it rained runs and it was actually raining in Kolkata Knight Riders Today. Its looking fine now though.

KXIP according me were on a terrific momentum till they last played against Delhi Daredevils, DD. Event in that match they lost only after a fight. Its been big break for KXIP due to odd schedule prepared by IPL. This gap might have dampened rhythm flow a little. Kings XI has played the least matches till now adding to just 5. They have really packed schedule coming up and they would want to start it with a win.

On the other hand Kolkata come to home with a win against Delhi, their first at Kotla in 4 seasons of IPL. Their last match was won really convincingly against Delhi guarding a small total by 17 runs. Gambhir has lead Kolkata to position now where they are surely looked up as one one of most probable teams that will enter top 4 this tournament. That doesn’t mean they can be cool as RCB and RR who went down for little time are up again competing. Kolkata has played 7 matches, 2 more than KXIP and they would definitely not want to loose and add one more team close to them. Futher they would want to continue their winnings momentum.

Last season's loss against KXIP at the Eden Gardens had costed KKR a chance to play in last four. KXIP though they were already out of the tournament played well to take KKR along with them to pave way to DC and RCB enter play-off easily. Though the teams have changed, KKR will still want to take revenge for that and not fall prey to give KXIP momentum by them loosing them.

Though KKR is more all-round side on paper and looks quite better than KKR. Young Paul Valthathy, Gilly along with Marsh championed the cause for Kings XI. In spite of their bowling not being really brilliant these 3 players have covered every hole in their ship. Praveen Kumar and Harris are doing decent for them, though they haven’t been really economical. Valthaty,261(5 matches) needs 34 runs to claim his orange cap back which has travelled from Punjab to Kohli in Bangalore via Sachin in Mumbai.
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On  KKR’s its consistency personified in Jacques Kallis. Who is on 244 and would definitely eye extend his tally and to excel against the tough opposition.The Valthaty- Kallis batting competition will just mark same curiosity as KKR-KXIP in home conditions of Kolkata. For if KXIP are most feared batting 4 in Gilchrist, Paul Valthathy, Shaun Marsh and David hussey Kolkata can be real challenging slow bowling attack with pitch conditions at home suiting them.

For KKR Haddlin’s finger injury ruled them out of complete season and Goswami or Bisla has to fill the Gloves for him. A bigger matter of concern would be how Brett Lee would perform in the remaining games after being good but going for runs in last game. At his best Lee will definitely make it look real easy for Kolkata in any match. Manoj Tiwary who has picked gradually from the start of tournament played fine knock of 61 winning the man of the match award. He is guarding the middle order to his best though he has not been getting real help from his explosive team-mate Yusuf.

Former Australian Great, Gilly will fact the finest of Speedster Brett Lee’s balls in opening spells. What more can we ask for. With so many interesting contests, this tussle is going to be great.

KXIP (Playing XI): A Gilchrist(C), P Valthaty, S Marsh, D Karthik, D Hussey, A Nayar, P Kumar, P Chawla, R Harris, B Bhatt, B Sharma

KKR (Playing XI):G Gambhir(C), J Kallis, S Goswami, M Tiwary, Y Pathan, E Morgan, R ten Doeschate, R Bhatia, B Lee, L Balaji, I Abdulla