The 8th match of the IPL 2022 will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Wankhede Stadium on April 1, 2022. This will be the third match for the KKR team, who have won one and lost one, while PBKS won their first match against RCB, chasing down a 206-run target.
Shreyas Iyer’s KKR did their best to keep RCB from chasing down 129 runs and made it tougher for them, impacting their net run rate. On the other hand, PBKS routed the famed RCB lineup by chasing down 206 runs in an emphatic fashion in their first match of the tournament.
Now as the two teams clash, here is the COC predicted playing XIs for the match.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Shreyas Iyer and co must be thinking whether their ultra-aggressive approach backfired against RCB, as they were bowled out for 128 on a dicey pitch. However, things are bound to be different at Wankhede stadium, where the batting was difficult in the middle overs and they know well about it, having played against CSK.
Not many changes are expected in the KKR lineup given that Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, and Nitish Rana are known entities in the IPL and this give Sam Billings the cushion to get his game going in.
Sheldon Jackson has been brilliant with the gloves but might need a couple of good innings with the bat as well, or Billings is there to take the keeping duties. One concern for the KKR team will be the fitness of Andre Russell, who was seen with some discomfort with his right shoulder.
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy did an excellent job of choking the RCB batting and much will be expected of them against the big-hitting PBKS batters in Odean Smith and Shahrukh Khan amongst others.
Umesh Yadav has been amazing in the powerplay overs with the ball and with Tim Southee joining him, KKR has a potent and experienced new ball attack.
PUNJAB KINGS
Punjab Kings came up victors against RCB in a high-scoring chase and will fancy their batting at Wankhede Stadium as well, which is a batter’s paradise. Mayank Agarwal himself would like to lead from the front with a good knock.
Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Liam Livingstone shouldered the batting well and will be expected to continue doing so. They will be happier when Jonny Bairstow becomes available to them.
Raj Bawa had the worst possible debut in IPL, with a golden duck, and was not called upon to bowl and he would be itching to make a mark for his team. Shahrukh Khan and Odean Smith will be expected to give the finishing touches with the bat as well, while Smith did well with the ball also.
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Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar will only hope to minimize the damage at Wankhede and Chahar’s time at MI will help him out. However, the biggest positive thing for PBKS is that Kagiso Rabada will be available for selection boosting their fast bowling and helping Arshdeep Singh out.
KKR COC Predicted Playing XI:
Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings, Sheldon Jackson (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:
Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (WK), Liam Livingstone, Raj Bawa, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar
