The 46th match of the IPL 2020 will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Sharjah. While KKR is placed 4th and KXIP place 6th on the points table respectively, a loss here will severely dent either’s chances to qualify for the playoffs.
Both the teams won their previous matches in contrasting fashion, as KKR defeated Delhi Capitals by 59 runs, while KXIP defended 126 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. These victories for both gave them enough cushion to move forward, but this game in Sharjah will be a do or die scenario for them.
In this crunch match, the playing XIs will be of utmost importance, and hence here is the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the KKR v KXIP match in Sharjah.
IPL 2020: Match 46, KKR v KXIP - Statistical Preview of the Match
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS (KKR)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team kept their hopes of playoffs qualification alive by defeating Delhi Capitals quite handsomely in their last match. The KKR batting came to the fore completely as Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine slammed the DC bowlers despite a slow start. Shubman Gill’s strike rate is a bit of concern for them, but others have more or less made up for it.
In this game against a KXIP team, which has risen from the dead, KKR must stay on the offensive and their current playing XI, despite missing Andre Russell, is quite a good one. They have the batting firepower in Tripathi, Morgan, Rana, and Narine, while bowling is taken care of by three pacers, who all bowl at 145 plus.
Cummins, Ferguson, and Krishna have shown that extreme pace may give away some runs, but they are bound to take wickets. Add to the mix that Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have done extremely well in the tournament, with Chakravarthy picking his maiden IPL five-wicket haul against DC. Morgan can feel that his team is capable of taking on the might of KXIP.
KINGS XI PUNJAB (KXIP)
What a resurgence this KXIP team has seen in their last four matches. They were down and out against SRH in their previous match but still managed to win it by 12 runs defending 126. The inclusion of Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran finding some amazing form has brought new life into the Punjab team.
Mohammad Shami has now found support in Arshdeep Singh, while the spin twins Ashwin and Bishnoi have troubled the best of the best in the last few matches and returned with some big wickets as well. The fielding has been top-notch, and KXIP may miss Mayank Agarwal for this match as well, as there is no news on his recovery.
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Rahul will be wary of the fact how dangerous KKR can be on their day and they have maintained their spot in the points table for a long time, but a win here will put KXIP ahead of the KKR and truly in the race for the playoffs.
KKR COC Predicted Playing XI:
Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Eoin Morgan (C), Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, M Prasidh Krishna, V Chakravarthy
KXIP COC Predicted Playing XI:
KL Rahul (C&WK), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, M Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
