KXIP vs KKR IPL 2019 Preview: Kings meet knights as existence at stake

12 matches, five wins and 10 points. The equation is simple for both Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. Win the remaining two matches and hope for some favourable results in other IPL games.

This is a do or die encounter as a win here keeps the franchise alive while  defeat kills all hopes of entering the play-offs.

Team News: 

The mystery spinner who costed KXIP a whopping seven crores at auction, Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining IPL.  With R Ashwin and Murugan Ashwin doing well, Punjab may not get affected by Varun’s miss.

The boys were back at it in #SaddaAkhada last evening. ?

More images: https://t.co/havY5hsuR5 ?#SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/AKp5wB87PO

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 2, 2019

Form Guide:

KL Rahul is in ominous touch while Chris Gayle has entertained frequently. The question for KXIP is their middle order. In bowling, Ashwin is manning the spin department effectively while albeit expensive Mohammad Shami provides solidarity in the pace department.

KKR meanwhile are still struggling to find a stable batting order. Take out Andre Russell and KKR’s batting is in shambles. The bigger trouble however is their spin bowling which needs an uplift asap.

Key Numbers:

• In head to head battles, KKR has dominated KXIP. Kolkata have won 16 matches while Punjab have won only eight games.

• KXIP have won only two matches out of the last 12 matches played against KKR.

Players in focus:

With 520 runs at an average of 57.77, KL Rahul has made a strong statement in IPL 2019. He has scored five fifties and is fresh from a quality knock of 79 against SRH. Can he make the most of KKR’s depleted bowling resources?

This is a no-brainer. Andre Russell is KKR’s most vital player in IPL 2019 with 486 runs at a strike rate of 207.69.  He may bat higher in the order considering the situation KKR is in and this means he will have more opportunities to make an impact.