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IPL 2019: KKR vs SRH Preview Dream11. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview Dream11 Prediction

Preview co-written by @jaishreeram1898

After what was hilarious-tweets filled opening game of IPL 2019, two top four contenders go head-to-head in a mouthwatering match up. KKR is a two-time champion, back at Eden Gardens for a new season. SRH, last season’s finalists, held the cup in 2016.

Kolkata Knight Riders is looking a good side under the captaincy of Dinesh Karthik. KKR are always difficult to beat, especially at their beloved home ground. Their spin and all-round stocks looks great. However, can their batting fire on a consistent basis?

Sunrisers Hyderabad, one of IPL 2019’s contenders, begin their campaign with a tough test. All eyes will be on David Warner whose ban of one year due to ball tampering is all but over. Kane Williamson is in doubt for this clash with the shoulder injury he picked up against Bangladesh recently, but the return of Warner can be a big boost. With SRH’s bowling one of the best in the league, they can make a statement first up at Eden Gardens.

Also read: 5 big predictions for IPL 2019

Key to a KKR win

Their batting doesn’t have the biggest names, but you always back KKR to put on a big showing. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine could likely feature at the top, and given Narine’s ability to get the side off to a flyer, he will certainly be key against SRH’s efficient attack. With the likes of Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik to follow, KKR can set up a platform for their hard-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell to launch. How they handle Rashid Khan in the middle overs will be key. They will want to face him off the back of a strong powerplay, with set batsmen to deal with his threat.

Also, the Eden Gardens track typically favours spin, even though their has been assistance for seamers in recent seasons. In Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla, KKR have an excellent battery of spinners to put pressure on SRH’s batting, which did have a tendency to struggle for power in IPL 2018. Getting the better of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow early will be key, which puts onus on the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Andre Russell and Harry Gurney to deliver as the key seam bowlers. Can KKR put early pressure on SRH’s middle order?

Key to a SRH win

One of the most balanced sides on paper, SRH have the opportunity to showcase that quality in their opening match. Even though Kane Williamson is in doubt, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow are two dangerous players at the top. If they can deliver, it will be difficult to stop them from making a good score, given they have the likes of Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Vijay Shankar and Mohammad Nabi to follow.

This is in combination with their main strength – their bowling. SRH were outstanding in restricting teams in IPL 2018, with only CSK standing in the way of a second title. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be key in both the powerplay and death overs, along with Siddarth Kaul, who was one of IPL 2018’s premier bowlers. Khaleel Ahmed needs to display an ability to keep the runs down when batsmen are going hard. With the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, SRH have quality spin options to turn to. If Shakib Al Hasan is fit to play, then they look even more efficient. Can SRH’s main bowlers, along with their all-rounders, deliver a performance that enables them to put pressure on KKR’s middle order?

Possible Playing 11

For KKR, sending out Sunil Narine to open can give them the head start they need against a good attack. Also, it remains to be seen who they play out of Harry Gurney or Lockie Ferguson. If the pitch contains some pace, Ferguson could be the option.

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

@jaishreeram1898‘s possible KKR XI:1. Chris Lynn, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Dinesh Karthik, 4. Robin Uthappa, 5. Nitish Rana, 6. R Singh, 7. Andre Russel, 8. Kuldeep Yadav, 9. Sunil Narine, 10. P Krishna, 11, Lockie Ferguson

Also read: Five ways to improve as a cricket player!

As mentioned, SRH skipper Kane Williamson is in doubt with a shoulder problem. If he does play, then it could be Mohammad Nabi to be the unlucky one to miss out.

My possible SRH XI: 1. David Warner, 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Vijay Shankar, 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Yusuf Pathan, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (c), 9 Sandeep Sharma/ Shahbaz Nadeem, 10. Siddharth Kaul, 11. Khaleel Ahmed

@jaishreeram1898‘s possible SRH XI:1. David Warner, 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Yusuf Pathan, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Deepak Hooda, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. B Thampi, 11. Siddarth Kaul

Dream11 Prediction

Opinion: Pros and Cons of Dream11’s Deadline Time Decision

Key stats and points:

• Dinesh Karthik is superb for KKR and in the back end of a T20 innings.
  Since 2015, his strike rate is 173.6 and has found the boundary every four balls. However, Jonny Bairstow is also a fine white-ball player, coming off scores of 68, 12 and 37 in the recent series vs West Indies.
• Chris Lynn’s scores vs SRH in IPL 2018: 49 (34) and 55 (43).
• Sunil Narine vs SRH in IPL 2018: 29 (10), 2/17 (4) and 1/23 (4). He is a must-pick.
• Will David Warner fire right away? A reminder he was IPL 2017’s highest run scorer.
• Kane Williamson (735) was the highest run scorer in IPL 2018. If he is fit, he is a good pick.
• Shubman Gill is one of the key young guns to watch in IPL 2019.
• Andre Russell in IPL 2018: 315 runs at SR of 184.79. Sunil Narine scored 357 at 189.89.
• Rashid Khan continues to take wickets in T20s. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took just nine wickets in 12 matches last season, but is always worth considering given his powerplay and death abilities. He took 3/26 at Eden Gardens last season.
• Siddarth Kaul in IPL 2018: 21 wickets (equal second most with Rashid Khan).
• Kuldeep Yadav at Eden Gardens is always a good proposition.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• SRH beat KKR twice in three games in IPL 2018, including the second Eliminator.
• KKR vs SRH at Eden Gardens: 5-2.
• SRH restricted KKR to 138/8 at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3/26 in that match.
• KKR won five out of nine games at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018.

Match Prediction

What a cracking match this promises to be.

Both sides have their strengths, which makes this a really difficult pick.
@jaishreeram1898 believes SRH will win this one, but I get a sneaky feeling KKR will get the job done. Ultimately, it depends if Kane Williamson is fit to play.

Thanks for reading!

Preview co-written by @jaishreeram1898