*KKR VS LSG PREVIEW- MATCH 68*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The Lucknow Super Giants have a very simple equation in front of them to sail past the other teams and make it through. They require one win regardless of the margin, and with 17 points they will book their spot. A CSK loss in the day game could also give them a top 2 finish, which could bolster their chances of sealing a berth in the final of the tourney as well. This team is a complete one, packed with star studded overseas players, some refreshing new talents with the bowl and stand in skipper Krunal Pandya doing more than enough to not let the side feel the loss of KL. Infact, LSG would be much confident before today’s game as they are charged up and coming on the back of two resounding wins courtesy Stoinis’s heroics and that last over from Mohsin which was all gold.
Kolkata, on the other hand, are in a misery like state. They started well with 2 wins in three games but their campaign has been a lopsided one, having failed to pick up momentum continuously at any period of time. Their Indian middle order has been among the runs but an unstable opening pair and lack of form from the lower order coupled with death bowling woes has made sure that they do not move past 6 wins. A win tonight will take them to 14 points but a terrible net runrate will still not suffice for a playoff spot. KKR have alot to worry about, and with strategies of next season in mind, they will look to enter into this contest.
*LSG PROBABLE XI:*
Quinton de Kock(wk), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Prerak Mankad, Krunal Pandya(c), Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Swapnil Singh
Nicholas Pooran vs Shardul Thakur, with the latter scoring briskly off the swing bowler (29 runs off 11 balls) but the Indian pacer has also gotten the better of him atleast thrice in T20 cricket. With Shardul expected to roll his arm over in the middle, he could pose threat to the hitting abilities of Nicholas Pooran who has been better than ever this season, winning LSG games out of nowhere.
Naveen Ul Haq boasts of great variations and he could be the pick for Krunal in the 7-15 overs phase, with the ball expected to grip a bit in the middle phase. Instead of coming out to bowl at the back end, he could be better utilised with the bowl earlier, putting a dent on the scoring and scalping a few wickets.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohsin Khan, after a stellar last over vs MI against two power hitters inform, would be high on confidence and is likely to play the role of an impact substitute. LSG would hope for a big impact from the tall left armer given the pitch is likely to aid the batters and run scoring is expected to be easier. A similar role could be played by Ayush Badoni if Lucknow bat second.
*KKR PROBABLE XI:*
Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana(c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
The Rinku-Rana pair has been prolific in run-chases this season: Rinku has scored three fifties in six innings, for 238 runs, at an average of 119, and a stunning strike-rate of 167. Rana has three fifties in six innings too, with 279 runs at an average of 55.8, and a strike-rate close to 150. KKR would hope for another game changing partnership between these two star Indian players up their ranks if they are up finish their inconsistency ridden season on a high.
KKR's pace bowlers have an average of 41.34 and an economy of 10.27 this IPL. Both figures are comfortably the poorest among pacers from any team. This puts KKR under the scanner and also adds pressure upon the shoulders of Rana who has had a mixed season as a skipper. LSG boast of a fantastic batting lineup and they could take a serious toll on his under par and inconsistent bowling group that KKR have up their sleeves.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Suyash Sharma, who has ruled the rooster in the middle overs specially at KKR’s home ground could once again come as an impact substitute. Expect Jason Roy or Ventakesh Iyer to play a similar role if they chase a target.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR LSG:*
Highest run getter- Kyle Mayers/Nicholas Pooran
Highest wicket taker- Ravi Bishnoi/Mohsin Khan
*FOR KKR:*
Highest run getter- Jason Roy/Rinku Singh
Highest wicket taker- Varun Chakravarty/Sunil Narine
*FOR THIS GAME:*
KKR to win