IPL 2015: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Clashes

Kolkata Knight Riders will look to come back strong against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home-ground at Eden Gardens on Monday.

Both the captains David Warner (L) and Gautam Gambhir (R) would not want to lose this all-important fixture on Monday.Ron Gaunt / SPORTZPICS / IPL

The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match number 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.

This is a reverse fixture where both the teams are looking to move up the points table. In their previous meeting, KKR lost the match by 16 runs that too by D/L method as the match was affected by rain. It is a must-win game for both the sides as KKR have lost three of their last five games while SRH have lost two of the last five. Can Warner-led men in orange make it their third straight victory? The answer can only be found after the match.

Let's have a look at some of the key clashes from this match:

Robin Uthappa vs Trent Boult: Uthappa had a scratchy start to the tournament, but slowly he has turned the fortunes and got back to scoring ways. He was the 'Orange Cap' winner last season and he is undoubtedly one of the crucial players for KKR at the top of the order. He will have to face Trent Boult, who is probably a bit under pressure as Dale Steyn is out of song. But Boult has bowled really well alongside the other pacers in the team.

David Warner vs Morne Morkel: Warner has notched up a lot of runs in this edition of the IPL and has set an example with the bat. But if he doesn't fire at the top of the order, then it becomes a problem for SRH as their middle-order batsmen have not made much of an effect. Morkel, who is likely to replace Pat Cummins, will have to bowl fast up front in order to dismiss Warner early.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Brad Hogg: Dhawan has been on and off during this season. If he is allowed to settle down then he can be equally dangerous as Warner. But then Hogg's challenge will await him on Monday at Eden Gardens. Hogg has mixed it up really well and has also picked crucial wickets in all the matches he featured.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Andre Russell: Kumar is one of the best death bowlers and can execute the yorkers to perfection. He has been successful in this edition of the IPL with his variations. Russell loves to swing his bat at any bowler, but it will not be easy to do the same against Kumar. He needs to be carfeul with those slower york length deliveries.