IPL 2017 Preview | Match 3 : Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders

04/07/2017

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders open their campaign away to Gujarat Lions at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. While the Lions managed to do the double over the visitors last year, the Gautam Gambhir-led KKR will look to set the record straight.

While KKR have one of the most balanced squads in the tournament with a number of top all-rounders in Darren Bravo, Shakib Al- Hasan and Yusuf Pathan, the Lions have a top-order that is capable of chasing down any total on their day with the likes of Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch, Jason Roy and Suresh Raina.

Head to Head

The two sides have only met twice so far, given that the Lions made their IPL debut only last year. And though KKR lost both, the two teams will look to make a winning start.

Last Meeting

Dwayne Smith returned figures of 3/8 in four overs to help skittle out KKR for 124 at the Green Park in Kanpur, before skipper Suresh Raina's fifty helped the Lions seal a six-wicket win with 39 balls to spare.

Predicted Playing XI

Gujarat Lions: Jason Roy, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina (capt), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Aaron Finch Ishan Kishan, James Faulkner, Shadab Jakati, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shivil Kaushik, Praveen Kumar

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir (C), Robin Uthappa (W), Manish Pandey, Ishank Jaggi, Yusuf Pathan, Chris Woakes, Suryakumar Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Naraine, Kuldeep Yadav, Trent Boult.

Key Players:

Brendon McCullum(GL)- It’s impossible to forget McCullum’s heroics for KKR in the very first game of the IPL back in 2008 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Ten years on, he will look to torment his former side and set the Lions on their way.

Gautam Gambhir(KKR)- Having scored in excess of 500 runs last season, Gambhir’s performances will once again be crucial in determining whether or not KKR get off to the start they desire.

Time: 8 PM IST

Venue: Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

TV Listings: Sony Six HD, Sony Six, Set Max, Sony ESPN.