IPL match preview: Punjab Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab remain in pursuit of a maiden IPL title. Kolkata are chasing a third trophy.
Sam Curran.One of the biggest talking points out of the Punjab camp is whether Sam Curran should bat higher up the order. Several pundits feel he is wasted in the middle order - and some believe he should perhaps open the batting. Regardless, the England all-rounder will have a big role to play with the ball.
Both teams have new captains - and it'll be interesting to see how the fresh leadership plays out. New Kolkata captain Nitish Rana won't want to let the additional responsibility negatively affect his primary role with the bat.
New Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan is raring to go. The new role seems to have given his domestic T20 career a big push - and perhaps some big performances could earn a return to the Indian T20I squad.
The Knight Riders will be without Shreyas Iyer. He is still sidelined by a back injury. Punjab won't have Liam Livingstone. The England batsman is still recovering from a knee injury. Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza could have a hefty part to play in Livingstone's absence.
The Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings have effectively taken turns to beat each other in their last five meetings. KKR have three wins to Punjab's two. Their last four meetings have brought victory for the team batting second.
Rahul Chahar is one of the most talented leg-spinners in the IPL and a major asset for the Punjab Kings. He could take advantage of any extra turn and bounce on offer from the Mohali pitch.
Andre Russell is a veritable IPL institution and has made the Knight Riders brand of cricket all the more popular. Attacking with bat and ball, he's a real spectacle to watch.
Despite the absence of Iyer and a brand new coach in Chandrakant Pandit, who succeeded Brendon McCullum, Kolkata look the stronger of the units here. If Russell comes off, in particular, they could take this contest comfortably.