Indian Premier League 2019 Match 2, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

The last time the two teams had met, Kolkata Knight Riders had Sunrisers Hyderabad down at 138/7 with 11 balls to go in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2018. Then Rashid Khan cameo took Hyderabad to 174/7. Then, from 87/1, Kolkata lost track for a second time, against Rashid. They finished on 160/9.

Hyderabad have qualified for the Playoffs every single time in the last three seasons, lifting the trophy in 2016 and finishing runners-up in 2018. Kolkata have also made it to the Playoffs on all three occasions but never beyond, which, while indicative of how consistent they have been, also shows how they have faltered where it mattered.

Hyderabad’s strength is their pace attack, as does Kolkata’s weakness. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – set to start the season as captain – will be backed by the trio of Basil Thampi, Sandeep Sharma, and Siddarth Kaul, all Indians with outstanding IPL records. There will also be Rashid and, if he plays, Shakib Al Hasan.

They have the big hitters as well. All eyes will be on David Warner, who will play his first major full tournament after serving his ban.

Kolkata have a string of aggressive batsmen till No. 7. Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine are among the biggest hitters in IPL history. Add to that the spin trio of Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, and Piyush Chawla – all of whom have individual styles – and KKR comes across as an outstanding side.

Unfortunately, injuries to three key fast bowlers mean that KKR will take field with two of the inexperienced quartet of Harry Gurney, Lockie Ferguson, Sandeep Warrier, and Prasidh Krishna, at most one of whom can be an overseas cricketer. That is a chink Sunrisers are likely to exploit.

Head to head

Kolkata hold a 9-6 advantage over Hyderabad in the IPL. In 2018, they beat each other once in the league stage before Hyderabad prevailed in Qualifier 2.

Key players

Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders): The most economical bowler in IPL history, Narine has the ability to bowl anywhere in the innings with reasonable success. His incredible strike rate at the top of the order makes him an unlikely but dangerous all-rounder.

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Warner, twice winner of the Orange Cap, will have more than runs at stake when he walks out to bat at Eden Gardens. Shunned by Cricket Australia from all competitive cricket for a year, Warner will be out there to prove a point – and regain the opener’s slot in the World Cup.

Likely XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Sandeep Warrier.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (c), Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul.

Prediction

Sunrisers have the edge, thanks to their superior pace attack.