The Kolkata Knight Riders will look to end Kings XI Punjab's chances of facing them or any other team in the IPL 2017 playoffs, when these two sides clash in Mohali on Tuesday.
With a lot at stake – KKR will want to finish in the top two, while KXIP need a win to stay in the hunt for a top four place – this IPL 2017 match should be one filled with fours, sixes, big knocks, impressive bowling and some excellent fielding.
All that points to an exciting match ahead, with Kings XI Punjab in desperation mode at the moment.
Here is a look at how KXIP vs KKR IPL 2017 Match 49 could go.
If KXIP bat first:
With no Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra comes back in to partner Martin Guptill at the top and the two right-handers begin well, scoring at a little above eight runs an over to finish the Powerplay with a half-century on the board.
Vohra falls early in the middle overs to Kuldeep Yadav, before Shaun Marsh is also an early victim.
Guptill and Eoin Morgan (if he plays) put on a really nice partnership, which brings KXIP back on course.
Then it is the Glenn Maxwell show.
The Kings XI Punjab captain comes in with a little over six overs remaining and the Australian hits the sweet spot right from the off. The reverse-sweeps, smashes over long-on, extra cover lofts and slog sweeps are all on display as Maxwell drives Kings XI Punjab to 198.
KXIP bowlers failed to defend 189 in the last game, and this one doesn't begin too well either as Chris Lynn goes smash-bang again. While Sunil Narine falls early, there is no stopping Lynn, who allies for a big partnership with captain Gautam Gambhir, with the latter just happy to keep giving the strike to the Australian.
Thanks to that Lynn smash, KKR stay above the required run rate, with the equation at only about eight runs an over when Lynn falls to Axar Patel.
Gambhir stays calm and so does Manish Pandey as KKR ace another impressive chase.
If KKR bat first:
Lynn and Narine put on 35 runs, before the latter falls to Mohit Sharma. Gambhir and Lynn add a further 48, with the Australian going after making a really nice 51.
Pandey falls early, leaving KKR three down with still plenty left to do to get to a defendable score. Yusuf Pathan takes up the responsibility, staying with his captain, with Colin de Grandhomme coming in and finding the boundaries a few times to take KKR to a really good score.
The target of 188 is chaseable, though, and it becomes more so when Guptill and Vohra put on a wonderful opening partnership worth 85.
With the platform set, Marsh, Morgan and Maxwell all contribute nicely down the order to take KXIP to the victory they need to stay in the hunt for a playoff place.
