KOLKATA: Even earning the first point in this IPL could not bring a smile on the faces of those in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp.Despite the one point gained from the washout against Punjab Kings, the 3.4 overs of play on Monday highlighted some added concerns. Struggling to get their house in order, KKR opted to take some bold calls by leaving out Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. However, the outcome of that decision remained inconclusive, although it is likely that they will be back in action against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!However, another spell of rain is forecast on match day. A washout is unlikely to help the sides, both of whom are trying to get their campaign going.After losing their first game, LSG did record a victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match but they made heavy weather of a rather simple chase.In spite of having a number of power-hitters in their lineup, the team has not really fired on expected lines. Even skipper Rishabh Pant played an uncharacteristic innings, although in a winning cause.
However, both teams are sweating over the form of their overseas batters. Finn Allen and Cameron Green continued to struggle and got dismissed even in some 15 minutes of play on Monday.The team might play Rovman Powell, who did not get a chance to establish his case in the washed-out game.LSG’s top order too has failed to give the side the right momentum with Aiden Markram, Michell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran yet to fire. On the bowling front, injury issues have hurt both sides before the start of the tournament. While LSG wait on their leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga as he recover from his hamstring injury, KKR are hopeful of getting pacer Matheesha Pathirana soon.
| 4 – LSG have won all four IPL fixtures while batting first vs KKR — by 75 runs in Pune on May 7, 2022, by two runs at DY Patil, Mumbai, on May 18, 2022, by one run in Kolkata on May 20, 2023 and by four runs in Kolkata on April 8, 2025. KKR’s wins have been by eight wickets in Kolkata on April 14 and by 98 runs in Lucknow on May 5, both back in 2024.
—Stats: Rajesh Kumar |
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