Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2019: KKR vs KXIP Preview Dream11. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab Preview Dream11 Prediction

Preview co-written by @jaishreeram1898

Hey, a cricket game is about to begin. It has been a controversial last 24-48 hours in the KXIP world, as they now travel to Kolkata to play a confident KKR side. KKR won their first game due to Andre Russell’s power, and KXIP because of Ashwin’s mind…

Indeed, Kolkata Knight Riders have underlined their top four credentials. You felt they were always playing catch up in their opener against a strong SRH side, but they pulled off an incredible victory thanks to that man – Andre Russell. Even though they would like to improve in certain areas, KKR never gave up in front of their home fans, and will play in front of them once again in the quest for two wins to kick off IPL 2019.

However, all the talk has been about Ravichandran Ashwin’s mankad to dismiss Jos Buttler. Opinions been as loud as they have been divided, which is a challenge for Ashwin and Kings XI Punjab to put to the side. They are looking pretty good, but their slow start against RR is something to avoid. This is especially so with such a quick turnaround. So, the onus is on their big names to deliver to move on from the mankad episode and up the ladder. Can they get over the line again and make it two from two?

Also read: Pakistan vs Australia 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Key to a Kolkata Knight Riders win

KKR’s bowlers actually did well to keep SRH to 181 on Sunday. While that is still a big total, it is significantly less than the 200+ SRH were on track to get with David Warner in fine touch. However, they did look helpless vs Warner, so they have to develop and execute good plans against the likes of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul. Tonight, the onus is on Sunil Narine, who could prove to be a key man to tame the lion that is Chris Gayle. He, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla will be key in keeping the KXIP side quiet. Incidentally, KXIP also scored 180+ in their first match, so can KKR get the better of the openers?

Also, will the KKR batting fire? That they chased 180+ with Chris Lynn and Dinesh Karthik both failing is a positive sign. Nitish Rana was excellent, Robin Uthappa steady, Shubman Gill fluent and Andre Russell explosive and outstanding. As an X-Factor of the team, a platform is all that man needs, so the onus is on the likes of Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa to set a good platform against a KXIP side that was on track to lose to RR before the controversy.

Key to a Kings XI Punjab win

You get the feeling KXIP need one of KL Rahul or Chris Gayle to fire. It was Chris who delivered a strong Gayle storm in Rajasthan, leading his side to a strong total. Gayle will be important again, but KXIP need more from KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to challenge KKR’s spinners. Former RCB man Sarafraz Khan backed him up beautifully, and he could prove to be a key man for KXIP in the middle order. With KKR sure to provide a test by spin, can the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and possibly David Miller play the roles of Warner, Bairstow and Shankar for SRH?

Also, can the KXIP bowlers outbowl those of KKR? With Andrew Tye, last season’s top wicket taker, likely to be back, KXIP can hope for crucial middle and death overs wickets. With Mohammed Shami also capable of wickets, and KXIP’s three spinners bowling well last time out, Ravi Ashwin’s men need to ensure Andre Russell is left with plenty to do after getting the better of KKR’s top order. Can KXIP get the better of the likes of Chris Lynn, Nitish Rana and Dinesh Karthik?

Also read: 5 big predictions for IPL 2019

Possible Playing 11

KKR could stick with the same team that overcame SRH.

My possible KKR XI: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Robin Uthappa, 4. Nitish Rana, 5. Shubman Gill, 6. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 7. Andre Russell, 8. Piyush Chawla, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Prasidh Krishna

@jaishreeram1898’s XI: No change from previous match.

There could be a couple of changes for KXIP. David Miller and Andrew Tye are on deck, which could mean Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran miss out.

My possible KXIP XI: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Sarfaraz Khan, 5. Nicholas Pooran (wk)/David Miller, 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 8. Sam Curran/Andrew Tye, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Ankit Rajpoot

@jaishreeram1898’s XI: No change from previous match.

Dream11 Prediction

Want another opinion? Check out Deekays Predictions on Twitter and YouTube.

Key stats and points:

• KL Rahul made a quiet start to IPL 2019. However, he will open compared to the middle order Dinesh Karthik.
• KL Rahul vs KKR in IPL 2018: 60 (27) at Eden Gardens and 66 (29). He has 192 runs in 66 balls in total vs KKR in IPL cricket!
• However, Karthik also went very well in IPL 2018 vs KXIP, scoring 43 (28) and 50 (23).
• Chris Lynn scored 74 (41) vs KKR at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018. He also scored 84 (52) against them in IPL 2017. He fancies KXIP.
• Chris Gayle also looks in dangerous form. He scored 79 two nights ago, as well as 62 (38) vs KKR at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018.
• Sunil Narine also enjoys KXIP. He scored 75 (36) last season, when KKR pummeled 245/6 at Indore. He also has his best figures (5/16) vs KXIP and 26 wickets in 15 matches against them.
• R Ashwin, amid the controversy, bowled nicely vs RR. He is certainly worth looking at in a three-man all-rounder formation with Narine and Andre Russell (who is coming off an amazing 49 off 19 balls).
• Andrew Tye took six wickets in two games vs KKR last season. He was IPL 2018’s top wicket taker.
• Mujeeb ur Rahman against KKR’s top order will be a fascinating battle. Will KKR leave Narine for later?
• Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla took just one wicket between them vs SRH on Sunday. However, picking two of the three is a good option, possibly along with two KKR seamers.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Want another opinion? Check out Deekays Predictions on Twitter and YouTube.

Stats and Facts

• If KKR bowl first, KXIP could be on the ropes. KKR have a 25-7 win-loss record when chasing at Eden Gardens.
• Sunil Narine needs one wicket to reach 50 IPL wickets at Eden Gardens.
• Both sides won a game each against each other in IPL 2018.

Match Prediction

KXIP beat KKR easily at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018. Staying consistent was a bit of a problem for KKR last season.

However, with their settled lineup and good home record, both myself and
@jaishreeram1898 will back KKR to score an important win to go 2-0 in IPL 2019.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Pakistan vs Australia 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

IPL 2019: KKR vs KXIP Preview Dream11. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab Preview Dream11 Prediction