IPL 2020, Match 46: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders- KKR Predicted XI

The  46th match of the Dream11 IPL will see Kolkata Knight Riders [KKR] lock horns with Kings XI Punjab in what is a crucial encounter for both sides at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

KKR consolidated their 4th spot in the points table courtesy of a dominating 59-run-win over Delhi Capitals and they will be hoping to further assert their authority against a rampant Kings XI Punjab unit on Monday.

Here’s a look at KKR’s probable XI against KXIP-

 

Shubman Gill

The talented opener once again struggled to get KKR off to a brisk start against the Capitals and was knocked over by Anrich Nortje for an 8-ball 9.

Gill has undergone a slump in form in the last few games and he would be looking to shrug it off in the next match against KXIP.

 

Nitish Rana

KKR opted to slot Nitish Rana to the opening slot in the last game and the move not only worked for them but also for Rana.

Rana, who had struggled for runs in IPL 2020, shrugged off his poor run with disdain by smashing a whirlwind and an eventual match-winning 53-ball 81.

 

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi was demoted to the No.3 spot in the batting unit. But the move did not bring any change to his fortunes as he was cleaned up for a 12-ball 13 by Anrich Nortje.

 

Dinesh Karthik (WK)

KKR once again promoted Dinesh Karthik ahead of skipper Eoin Morgan in the batting order and just like the previous games, the ploy once again backfired.

Karthik’s poor form continued and this time he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada for a painstaking 6-ball 3.

 

Sunil Narine

The Knight Riders thinktank made a tactical punt in the last game when they sent Sunil Narine at the No.5 spot ahead of Eoin Morgan.

And, the move proved to be a masterstroke. Narine came to the middle with KKR’s score reading 3-42 in 7.2 overs. And, by the time he was dismissed, he and Nitish Rana had added 115 runs in a mere 9.2 overs.

Narine scored 64 of those runs in a mere 32 deliveries as he took the attack to the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis in the middle-overs before eventually getting dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. He, however, did not have a memorable day with the ball as he conceded 37 runs in his 4 overs without any wicket.

 

Eoin Morgan (C)

Eoin Morgan continued with the momentum that the innings had garnered after the 115-run-stand between Rana and Narine.

He took the attack to Rabada during his 9-ball 17, ensuring that KKR eventually posted 194 after 20 overs.

 

Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins has chipped in with crucial cameos at the backend of innings but he had struggled to pick up wickets consistently.

That all changed in the last game against DC as the Australian fast bowler knocked over Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan in his opening spell before claiming Kagiso Rabada at the death to round off a brilliant spell that read- 4-0-17-3.

 

Lockie Ferguson

The entry of Lockie Ferguson has added an extra dimension to KKR’s fast bowling unit.

Ferguson has been used in the middle-overs, where he has not only helped in drying up the runs but also claim crucial wickets. The Kiwi pacer has thus far claimed 5 wickets in 3 games.

 

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti made his return to the playing 11 in the last game against DC.

The fast bowler bowled two economical overs for 11 runs without a wicket. He would be hoping to contribute more in the wickets column in the next game.

 

Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna did not have the best of outing in the last game. He was smashed for 19 runs in his 2 overs and did not bowl after that.

KKR might look to replace the fast bowler with Shivam Mavi.

 

Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy proved to be the real game-changer for KKR with the ball in the last game.

On a pitch where celebrated spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Sunil Narine were smashed to all corners, Chakravarthy just ran through the Capitals middle-order to claim the first 5-wicket haul (5-20) in IPL 2020.

Also Read- IPL 2020, Match 46: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders- KXIP Predicted XI