IPL Match Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad…
The Kolkata Knight Riders will face up to the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Uppal on Sunday in what is expected to be a closely fought battle for the final qualification spot for the knockout rounds.
The Knight Riders are now on a run of 3 wins on the trot, and although Hyderabad are a formidable opposition at home, they will be hoping to beat the Sunrisers to go four points clear in 4th place in the standings with 3 games left to play.
Kolkata’s opening pair of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa has clicked incredibly well in the past few games, and the team management will be hoping that the duo set the platform for the rest of the batsmen coming down the order. Having said that, KKR’s middle order has not been performing well this season, and the Sunrisers could have plenty of joy if they get rid of the openers quickly.
KKR’s biggest strength though is the variety in their bowling with the likes of Morne Morkel, Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan in great form with the ball. The Sunrisers, on the other hand, have been a bit of a hit and miss team this season, and have relied too heavily on their foreign stars in Dale Steyn, David Warner and Aaron Finch to deliver the goods for them in crunch moments. Hyderabad’s Indian contingent led by the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Amit Mishra needs to do a whole lot better if they are to harbour thoughts of making the knockout rounds.
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