IPL 2017 | Fan predictions : Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab

These predictions are sourced from the newest fantasy game on the block, Nostragamus, which you can download here, if you are on an Android device.

Today, we bring you the fan predictions for the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.

Who will win?

KKR playing at Eden Gardens should be an intimidating prospect for any team, but the numbers do not back that up. KKR played 5 matches at the Eden Gardens in 2016 but won just 3. The story against Punjab, however, is quite different. KKR & Punjab have played each other 19 times in the IPL with the two-time champions emerging as winners on 13 occasions. But, get this: KKR haven’t lost any of their last 7 encounters against KXIP. 8 of these 19 have been played out at the Eden Gardens, and KKR have won all but 2 of them, with the last KXIP victory at Kolkata coming way back in 2012. 

The only chance KXIP have in ending this abysmal record is that they have won both of their opening games in this season, while KKR have won 1 and lost 1 thus far.

The fans certainly feel that team from Punjab will bite off more than they can chew at the Gardens of Eden.

Fans verdict : Kolkata Knight Riders – 63%

Who will score more runs for KKR?

Options : Manish Pandey, Robin Uthappa

There is something brewing with Manish Pandey. In KKR’s last match against Mumbai Indians, fans were treated to a spectacle of explosive batting with Pandey single-handedly rescuing KKR’s innings with a swashbuckling 81* off just 47 balls. This innings also including a pretty rare occurrence – Pandey hit 18 runs off just 2 legal deliveries bowled by Mumbai’s McClenaghan. His innings was hardly surprising, though. IPL fans will also remember him as the first Indian to hit a century in the IPL, way back in 2009 as a 19-year-old. If KKR’s top order fails again, Pandey will come to the fore, which brings us neatly to Robin Uthappa.

The Knight Riders have announced that they have lost opener Chris Lynn for a substantial amount of time. This is Chris Lynn, who gave the Gujarat Lions Lynnsomnia en route to an unbeaten 93 during their KKR's first match. This means that Uthappa may be reunited with Gambhir as the opener for this match. Last IPL season, the pair put up 496 runs in 14 matches they opened together – an average of 35. Uthappa was the 1 to get out in 10 of these innings, and the run included 3 half-centuries for him. In Lynn’s absence, can Uthappa step up to fill the batting void?

The fans have no confidence in Uthappa for this one.

Fans’ verdict: Manish Pandey to score more – 62%

Will Sandeep Sharma take a wicket in the powerplay?

In the last 3 seasons of the IPL, Sandeep Sharma has taken 46 wickets in 39 matches, and the 2014 season was even more impressive where he claimed 18 wickets in just 11 matches. To put it into perspective, he was the fifth-highest wicket taker in 2014, while the winner of the Purple Cap, Mohit Sharma played 5 more matches to take 5 extra wickets. 

The 23-year-old pacer has certainly started in good form this season, taking 3 wickets in 2 matches, at an average of 19.66 and a very healthy economy rate of 7.37. With the pitch relaid at the Eden Gardens, the new ball is expected to be more seamer-friendly, and the pacer from Punjab will be rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of going up against Uthappa in the powerplay.

The fans are with him in this battle.

Fans’ verdict: Sandeep Sharma to take a wicket in powerplay – 64%.

All stats and public opinions have been sourced from the newest fantasy-cum-predictions game in the market - Nostragamus.  You can check it out here. Do join in for maximum fun and a chance to win prizes along the way. The app is available on Android.