The Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rising Pune Supergiant clash in a battle of two teams in solid form and looking to move ever closer/seal a place in the playoffs of IPL 2017.
With KKR such a strong unit at home, they will certainly start as the favourites in this game at the Eden Gardens, but then, RPS have an in-form Ben Stokes and a due-a-big-score Steve Smith in their ranks, apart from India stars Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni.
Considering the strength and form of both teams, it is going to be difficult to call a winner, but, nevertheless, here is a look at how KKR vs RPS might go.
If KKR bat first:
Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine get off to a really good start, with Narine spanking four fours and two sixes in his quickfire innings, before getting picked up by Washington Sundar.
Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, however, keep the momentum going for KKR with a 52-run partnership, before the latter is dismissed by a brilliant googly from Imran Tahir, which goes through the gate to hit the stumps.
Manish Pandey comes and goes quickly and so does Yusuf Pathan, and just when KKR seem like losing their way, they are rescued by Colin de Grandhomme/Shakib Al Hasan (depending on who plays) with a few big hits taking the home team to 174.
RPS get off to a bright start through Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane, and after Tripathi goes for 22, Rahane and Steve Smith put on a big partnership, such a big partnership that Ben Stokes and MS Dhoni have a simple task in finishing the game off.
If RPS bat first:
Tripathi is on fire in the Powerplay again, while Rahane looks a lot more solid at the other end, determined to make a big score this time. Once Tripathi goes in the second ball of the sixth over, Smith walks in, and the two experienced RPS batmen put on a 74-run partnership.
When Smith is dismissed, RPS are in a decent position, but they do need someone to come and smash a few sixes and fours to get above the par score. That is provided by Stokes and Manoj Tiwary, with the KKR bowlers struggling to plug the runs in the final overs.
Narine goes in the first over to Jaydev Unadkat, but Gambhir and Uthappa put come together to ensure KKR stay on course in the chase.
That chase takes a slight twist when Uthappa and Pandey fall to Tahir, but Gambhir is cool, calm and collected and so is Yusuf, with KKR easing home in the end.
