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IPL 2017 I Match Day Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab

Knight Riders will look to return to winning ways when take on the Kings XI at Eden Gardens on Thursday

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KKR take on KXI Punjab at Eden Gardens on Thursday
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The Kolkata Knight Riders have been the nemesis for Kings XI Punjab since the inception of the cash-rich Indian Premier League and boasts of a dominant 13-6 lead. The record in Kolkata stands at 6-2 favouring the Knights and the men in purple and gold have emerged victorious in their last seven meetings. 

But the Knights have to change their opening combination as Australian hitman, Chris Lynn will be out for a considerable number of matches after hurting his right shoulder.  This should see seasoned partners Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa return as openers who has more than 400 runs in their partnership kitty. 

Indian pace-star Umesh Yadav might also be available for selection  after he missed the two opening encounters nursing a niggle in the lower back. Sakib Al Hasan might also get the nod as his bowling arm along with some assured big hits at the death overs might come in handy.

It will be interesting to see how the newly laid out Eden Gardens track turns out, which reportedly has become more seamer-friendly. Latest addition to the squad Coiln de Grandhomme might make his debut if the team management decides to go for an extra pacer, looking at the wicket.

The Kings XI side might remain unchanged as it remains injury free and Glenn Maxwell will look to carry forward his winning combination. 
Wriddhiman Saha might be sent up the order as he has a prolific strike rate of 144 and 156 against Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla respectively. Moreover, the local boy knows the condition just as the back of his palm. 


The likely XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders 1 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 2 Robin Uthappa (wk), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Yusuf Pathan, 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Sunil Narine, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Umesh Yadav/Piyush Chawla, 11 Trent Boult.

Kings XI Punjab 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Manan Vohra, 3 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 4 Glenn Maxwell (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mohit Sharma, 9 Sandeep Sharma, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 T Natarajan.

Chasing seems to be the likely option at the Eden Gardens as six out of five sides have won chasing during IPL 9. KKR will definitely like to  win against their favourite opponents at their own backyard whereas the Maxwell and Co. will try to extend their winning streak.

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