The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) welcome the Punjab Kings (PBKS) into Eden Gardens, Kolkata, today for their second meeting of the season. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who lost the first bout against Punjab Kings (PBKS) earlier this season by 7 runs at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, look for revenge at their home ground in match 53 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. In this Article check updates on KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI, Pitch Report, and Weather Forecast.
However, though KKR is seeking a home advantage against their rivals, Nitish Rana’s side doesn’t hold promising home-ground statistics this season, losing three of the last four matches, which is worrisome for the hosts. The last one was the disappointing 7-wicket loss against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 29, 2023.
Though things have been bad for KKR this season, they are coming for the battle with a slight relief as the Knight Riders have beaten SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their previous game by 5 runs. But will this win help KKR beat PKBS? Which are the players who will get into the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs this time? Let’s have an analysis and a possible KKR vs. PBKS Dream11 prediction below.
KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Preview on KKR
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) sit in 8th place in the table, having 8 points from a possible 20. They lost three of their last 5 matches, including the huge 49-run loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the thrilling 4-wicket loss against Deccan Chargers (DC). The four teams ahead of them tied on 10 points each is a tale of hope for them, as they are technically just 3 points behind the 3rd place holder, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). So it is crucial for them to win all the matches to squeeze into the top 4.
Bowlers have been the most disappointing part of KKR this season. And as per KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI they are the department that is going to boost KKR’s chances in the KKR vs. PBKS Dream11 prediction. Varun Chakravarthy, who has taken 14 wickets from 10 innings, would surely take his seat in the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs. Ankul Roy, who has the best economy (6.43 from 3 innings) so far, would also expect a starter spot in the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs.
Based on As per KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI, the batting department has been decent for KKR this season. While Rinku Singh tops the chart with 316 runs, hitting the most 6s for Kolkata this season, Venkatesh Iyer takes the second spot, hitting the most 4s for them to score 303 runs, both appearing in all 10 matches this season. They would easily secure the tickets for the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs.
KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Preview on PBKS
Punjab ranks 7th, a spot above KKR, in the IPL 2023 point table this season, with 10 points from 10 games. Also, they won their first bout against KKR at the start of the season. This may give KKR a slight advantage in the KKR vs. PBKS Dream11 prediction. They are level on points with the 5th placed Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but having the 2nd worst run rate pushed them further down the table.
Likewise, KKR’s and PBKS’s bowling department has been failing to perform this season. According to As per KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI, If the pitch favours spin, KKR would get the advantage, as Punjab’s spinners have not been so effective in spinning down the opposition. Arshdeep Singh took the most wickets for them this season, bagging 16 wickets from 10 matches, followed by Nathan Ellis, who took 9 wickets from just 6 games. Harpreet Brar is also looking to get into the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs with the second-best economy (7.57).
KKR vs. PBKS Match Details
Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Punjab Kings, Match 53, Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023
Date and Time: May 8, 2023, Monday, 07.30 PM IST
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR vs. PBKS Pitch Report
The KKR vs. PBKS pitch report is given below.
Eden Garden normally supports batters but favours pacers a bit initially. As the game goes on to the later stages, it starts to support spinners.
KKR vs. PBKS Weather Forecast
The KKR vs. PBKS weather forecast is given below. The weather conditions are expected to be sunny and humid, with temperatures ranging between 31 and 40 degrees Celsius. The chances of rain are highly unlikely.
KKR vs. PBKS Playing XIs
As per KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI, these are the players who are expected to be in the KKR vs. PBKS playing XIs.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (w), Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, and Arshdeep Singh.
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