After late wins, Kolkata and Punjab keen to build momentum

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab began their respective IPL-12 campaigns on a winning word. Their victories had been additionally identical in nature with the 2 teams nearly coming back from the lifeless to disappointed their combatants in their opening suits.

IPL Schedule

While KKR chased down 182 runs in opposition to Sunrises Hyderabad at home, KXIP effectively defended their tally of 184 in opposition to the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, albeit after having let the sport all however slip out in their arms. But having held their nerve in aggravating encounters that went down to the wire, each side will probably be high on self assurance after they face each and every different at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday evening. On the flip facet KKR and KXIP will probably be willing to lift their game by means of a couple of notches with the intention to be sure a smoother experience within the match.

KKR will take heart from the truth that they cling a superior head-to-head document in opposition to KXIP. Overall, the 2 aspects have met 23 occasions in 11 seasons of IPL with KKR winning on 15 occasions.

KKR coach Jacques Kallis will probably be a touch cautious of the truth that his much-vaunted spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine managed to pick just one wicket among them, giving away 70 runs in eight overs mixed.

The numbers look rather uninspiring, specifically with someone like Chris Gayle within the opposition camp. The giant West Indian was now not at his murderous highest in opposition to the Royals, however nonetheless caused enough injury whilst making 79 off 47 balls with eight fours and 4 sixes. Gayle additionally became the fastest to complete 4000 runs in IPL in 112 suits. His opening partner KL Rahul, who owns the document for hitting the fastest half-century in IPL, failed on Monday, however KKR bowlers will probably be cautious about his ability to blow up. The hosts may even have to take care of the extremely leading edge stroke-making of Sarfaraz Khan, whose unbeaten 46 off 29 balls helped KXIP publish a powerful tally on Monday.

KXIP, however, missed their in another country pacer Andrew Tye and all-rounders David Miller and Moises Henriques. The two foreigners - Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran - who got to play in their absence, failed to provoke. With Mohammad Shami and Ankit Rajpoot each leaking runs, KXIP will rely heavily on their spin duo of skipper Ravichandran Ashwin and Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Skipper Dinesh Karthik's deficient shape is a huge worry for KKR. He had a forgettable opening fit in opposition to SRH the place he now not simplest failed with the bat and also messed up at the back of the stumps. Young Subhman Gill surely make a robust declare for a promotion up the order by means of making use of the of completion within the game that Andre Russell had swung KKR's way along with his power-hitting.

It is still seen whether KKR will alternate the opening mixture after Nitish Rana's just right show within the last fit, however they'll definitely hope that Chris Lynn will fire at the order to offer them a flying start. The just right information is Narine, who had injured a finger in his proper hand, bowled within the nets on Tuesday and should be fit for action.

While KXIP will look to stay the winning momentum by means of winning back-to-back suits at the highway, KKR will hope to stay rolling ahead of hitting the street for their subsequent couple of suits.