KKR vs KXIP buildup, Highlights Kolkata Knight Riders will host Kings XI Punjab at Eden Gardens. (Source: PTI)KKR vs KXIP buildup, Highlights: Nitish Rana, Andre Russell and Robin Uthappa played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders winning their IPL 2019 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens. They chased down an 184 run target to give KKR a winning start. Russell also contributed with the ball to take two wickets and the Man of the Match honours.
Their opponents today, Kings XI Punjab, beat Rajasthan Royals but it came at a cost of the integrity of the game. R Ashwin’s ‘Mankading’ of Jos Buttler has divided the cricket world. While legally correct, quite a few have questioned the move to run out the non-striker in the controversial manner that always raises eyebrows. KXIP would hope another win is in the offing – but without any controversy this time.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik (capt & wk), Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna
Kings XI Punjab XI
Kings XI Punjab: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Andrew Tye, R Ashwin (capt), Mohammed Shami, Hardus Viljoen, Varun Chakravarthy
KXIP win the toss, elect to bowl first
Karthik said that they would have bowled as well so Ashwin may have won the first round here.
The captains
Ashwin and Karthik, both Chennai lads, are walking out to represent Kolkata and Punjab with Danny Morrison.
Pitch report
Michael Clarke says on Star Sports that the pitch is looking even better than what it was in the previous match. No winds, 28 degrees Celsius, perfect playing conditions.
Andrew Tye
He ended last season as the highest wicket-taker and is a potent weapon to possess in T20s. Tye was seen training with the team before the match so it is highly likely that he could be in the playing XI.
Ashwin
His Mankad act has kicked off a storm of debates. There are those condemning him for what he did, there are others who ask whether the third umpire was right in giving Buttler out and finally, there are those who think Ashwin was within his rights to appeal and that Buttler deserved to go. Who's right? Who's wrong? You choose but you might be able to get some more perspective by reading this piece
Head-to-head
Kolkata hold a better head-to-head record against the visitors at their fort Eden Gardens.
Will Hesson get a second win for KXIP?
Here is what KXIP coach has to say ahead of the clash in Kolkata
Andrew Tye is back for KXIP
Andrew Tye, Karun Nair and David Miller are excited to be at Eden Gardens for the clash against KKR. Here is what they have to say:
Predicted Playing XI
KKR Predicted Playing XI:
Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik (C&WK), Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna
KXIP Predicted Playing XI:
Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller (WK), Mandeep Singh, R Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot, Mohammad Shami
Preview
A look at the two teams, the pitch report and quick wrap from their opening games in our preview.
Squad list
Who can KKR and KXIP bank upon? Who did they retain, sign, let go of? KKR squad and KXIP squad.
Jaipur conquered, Kolkata next?
KKR have a strong record at home. Can KXIP breach the fortress?
Who to watch out for?
Quite a few names in this list: Chris Gayle, R Ashwin, Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa. Who will shine?
KKR vs KXIP
Hello and Good Morning! Welcome to our live coverage of today's IPL fixture between KKR and KXIP at Eden Gardens. Both teams got their IPL campaign going with wins. KKR beat SRH at home and KXIP beat RR in Jaipur. Who will join CSK with two wins in two?