IPL 2017: Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Lions, Game 23– Match Result Predictions

Kolkata Knight Riders who is going through a purple patch in the Vivo IPL 10 so far will be raring to go against the bottom placed side in the tournament so far, Gujarat Lions tomorrow at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. We will witness some big names taking the field tomorrow and we might be in for a thrilling encounter between this equally talented sides.

Despite Gujarat Lions not being in the best of forms, they will be backing themselves to make a turnaround in the tournament which might force them to come in the reckoning for the play-offs berth. Kolkata, on the other hand, has looked organised in almost all departments of the game.They have been thoroughly professional and has given every team a run for their money.

In the opening slot, they have kept on experimenting after the injury to Chris Lynn and have gone with Sunil Narine and Colin de Grandhomme on times. Narine struck a fantastic 38 the other day and opening the batting with captain Gautam Gambhir who looked in ominous touch throughout the tournament.

Their bowling department has gone for a stick on occasions but given the variety in their attack, it will be just a matter of time before the attack gets into their groove before the playoffs start. Shakib Al Hasan has been unexpectedly left out and it’s baffling to see the No.1 all-rounder being sidelined despite being available.

Gujarat Lions have a problem of plenty with 4 world class openers in their rank. I told the other day in my prediction too that if Jason Roy is playing he must open irrespective of whoever plays in the squad. Yes, Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith have looked good but given the abilities, Roy possesses he cannot be that dominant if he comes later in the order.

In that case, an all-rounder like James Faulkner will be a better option given his ability to bamboozle batsmen with his slower balls and play the lusty blows towards the end of the innings. He has played the role of a finisher for Australia and might well do the act for GL. Given their lacklustre performance in the tournament so far they should go with Faulkner tomorrow. So with more than 12 hours to go for the 23^rd match to commence let us have a look at the predictions for the match

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: KKR will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KKR choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 165-175

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 6 wickets (with 4 balls to spare)

Scenario 2: GL will win the toss

Toss Prediction: GL choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 195-205

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 22 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –3, KKR Won – 1, GL Won – 2

Despite Gujarat Lions’ better head to head record against Kolkata, it will be a pretty tough ask for them to upstage a resurgent KKR side which has been relentless in the tournament so far. After winning both the encounters in the previous edition, Gujarat Lions bowed down to a Chris Lynn magic as the bowlers were deposited all around the park.

Team Combination

Kolkata Knight Riders

Their line up looks pretty settled but I personally feel Shakib Al Hasan should be definitely in the XI but it’s up to Gambhir and the management to decide on the final XI. Given his abilities, it’s baffling to see a someone of Shakib’s calibre being left out. Colin de Grandhomme hasn’t lived up to his hard-hitting abilities and it’s hight time Shakib gets a game.

The bowling department is spearheaded by Umesh Yadav but the fast bowler has gone for a few runs in the previous few encounters. Their spin department is in the able hands of Caribbean magician Sunil Narine and the 1^st ever chinaman bowler in India Kuldeep Yadav.

Predicted XI: Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shakib Al Hasan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult

Gujarat Lions

James Faulkner definitely deserves a chance in the XI and he has proven time and again for Australia that how valuable an all-rounder he can be. The left-arm seamer can execute his back of the hand slower balls to perfection which can bamboozle any top class batsman. He can also hit those mighty blows and can play the role of a finisher for Gujarat.

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith has been their best opening combination so far which means they are likely to stick with the combination at least for a couple more matches. If Faulkner comes in, Finch might miss out. After the exceptional performance the other day with a hat trick, Andrew Tye is expected to retain his place.

Predicted XI: Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Aaron Finch, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Andrew Tye, Praveen Kumar, Basil Thampi, Shadab Jakati

Despite Gujarat Lions leading KKR in the head to head margin with a slender lead, KKR looks the more organised lot in this edition and it will be a huge ask for GL to overhaul the mighty Knight Riders in front of a jam-packed Eden Gardens cheering for their home team.

Do let us know your predictions below