IPL 9: Knight Riders face rejuvenated Kings XI at Mohali
[caption id="attachment_12050" align="alignnone" width="580"] Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa has been in great touch in IPL 9. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption]
Internet Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders will be up against a rejuvenated Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League match at Mohali on Tuesday. The hosts will be upbeat following their six wicket win against Rising Pune Supergiants on Sunday.
The Knight Riders will go into the match as overwhelming favourites against Punjab on paper. Gautam Gambhir and his team looked a more balanced outfit compared to last season but reputations count for little in the shortest format as most of the contests are won on the day.
The two time champions KKR will look to continue the momentum against the Kings. The secret for Knight Riders’ success has been to stick with the core group of players ever since Gambhir took charge of captaincy in 2011.
Skipper Gambhir, opener Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have all settled down in their respective roles in the past few years giving them a dangerous look despite the absence of a huge star in the ranks of a Kohli, Dhoni or AB de Villiers.
Except for the loss at the hands of Mumbai Indians – more precisely Rohit Sharma, the Knight Riders have so far exhibited clinical performances against Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kings XI Punjab will look forward to build on the confidence after its morale boosting win against Supergiants. The Kings bowling comprising of Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel will have a tough task against the likes of Russell, Manish Pandey, Colin Munro and Uthappa. Gautam Gambhir too has got a great start to the season notching up 192 runs at a healthy strike rate of 125.49. The KKR captain has been playing the role of sheet anchor to perfection.
Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra notched up a great opening stand to lay the platform for a Punjab win against Supergiants on Sunday. Glen Maxwell did exhibit in Sunday's game what he is famous for hitting a brisk 32 runs off 14 balls. Captain David Miller will be hoping to come good against the Knight Riders at home.
The Knight Riders have so far earned four points from three games with two wins under their belt; Kings XI on the other hand has opened their account with a six-wicket win against Pune Supergiants on Sunday.