Highlights:
- PBKS are in a tie for seventh place with positions 4, 5, and 6 after scoring 10 points.
- KKR has lost their most recent home game while winning two of their last three games away from home.
- The bowling for Punjab has recently been out of form.
On Monday, May 8, famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the IPL 2023 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Sunrisers Hyderabad were defeated by KKR in their previous match by a margin of five runs. They have four victories from ten games, which puts them in eighth place in the points standings.
On the other side, Punjab Kings suffered a six-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians in their most recent match. With five victories in ten games, the team led by Shikhar Dhawan is clinging to the seventh position on the points chart. Both teams have four games left in the league stage and will want to win as many as they can to advance to the competition’s playoffs.
KKR Vs PBKS Head To Head:
KKR leads PBKS 20-11 in head-to-head matches in the 31 IPL encounters between the two teams so far. The last six clashes have resulted in an even split of victories, with three victories each for KKR and PBKS.
Having said that, let us take a closer look at their past 5 meetings
KKR Vs PBKS Last 5 Encounters:
April 1, 2022: KKR won by 6 wickets
October 1, 2021: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets
April 26, 2021: KKR won by 5 wickets
October 26, 2020: Punjab Kings won by 8 wickets
October 10, 2020: KKR won 2 runs
Expected Top Performers For KKR And PBKS:
Probable Best Batsman
Liam Livingstone:
Liam Livingstone has been a consistent performer in the ongoing season, having scored 157 runs in five innings with an impressive average of 39.25 and a strike rate of 163.54. His outstanding form was highlighted in the previous match against MI, where he smashed a breath-taking unbeaten 82 runs off just 42 balls. He had also played a scintillating knock of 40 runs off 24 balls against CSK earlier. KKR might find it challenging to contain Livingstone, who is expected to be a key player in the upcoming game.
Probable Best Bowler
Varun Chakravarthy:
Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as the top wicket-taker for KKR in the current season, having taken 14 wickets in 10 games. He was the standout performer in the last match against SRH and was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of 1/20 in four overs, which helped his team secure a crucial win. Chakravarthy has already won two Player of the Match awards in the season, and he will be eager to replicate his success with the ball against PBKS in the upcoming game. As a leg break bowler, he holds the key to KKR’s bowling attack and can turn the match in his team’s favour with his impressive skills.
Probable Best Wicketkeeper:
Jitesh Sharma:
Jitesh Sharma’s exceptional performance in the middle-order position for Punjab Kings cannot be overlooked, as he has scored 239 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike rate of 165.97.
Considering Jitesh’s consistent ability to score briskly during the middle overs, he would make a valuable addition to the team.
Probable Best All-Rounder:
Liam Livingstone:
Liam Livingstone’s performance for the Kings this season has been noteworthy, as he has scored 157 runs in just five matches, showcasing a phenomenal batting strike rate of 163.54. Additionally, he has also taken two wickets so far. Considering Livingstone’s ability to contribute with both the bat and ball, he would be a valuable addition to PBKS team.
Read | 15 Best IPL Matches To Keep You Entertained
Additional Stats Of KKR And PBKS:
KKR highest score against PBKS: 199
PBKS highest score against KKR: 200
Most runs for KKR: 366 (Andre Russell)
Most runs for PBKS: 81 (Bhanuka Rajapaksa & Sam Curran)
Most wickets for KKR: 33 (Sunil Narine)
Most wickets for PBKS: 8 (Arshdeep Singh)
Most catches for KKR: 4 (Nitish Rana & Sunil Narine)
Most catches for PBKS: 3 (Sikandar Raza)
Lowest total defended by KKR against PBKS: 163
Lowest total defended by PBKS against KKR: 132
Match Prediction
The two sides seem evenly matched, with no clear favorite for the upcoming game. Both teams are grappling with several challenges. KKR has struggled to perform well at home this season, which works against them. On the other hand, Punjab’s bowling unit has been expensive, making it difficult for them to defend a score. However, if the pitch continues to offer good bounce and carry, we can expect another high-scoring match. In such a scenario, KKR might have a slight advantage over Punjab and could emerge as the winners.