IPL 9, Match 55 Preview: KKR aims to avoid elimination while SRH have top spot in mind

The race to the playoffs is wide open with eight possible scenarios for the four contenders vying for the two places available in the top half of the point table. The competition has been so fierce that only two teams have confirmed their play-off berth till now. Kolkata Knight Riders would have asked for a bit more consistency this season. They were never able to keep up with the winning momentum and kept losing games in clusters. The six-wicket loss to the Gujarat Lions has left KKR’s hope of making it to playoffs clinging on the result of their upcoming game. A win means they would stay afloat while a loss would mean they get kicked out of the IPL 9.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, it would be about maintaining their status as the table toppers. The close loss to DD last night has definitely made it bit tricky for them but by defeating KKR they can sit unshaken at the top of the table. Also, both the teams, particularly KKR, will also hope that rains stay away from the venue. The weather condition is bad with the ‘Roanu’ cyclone causing rainfall in the last two days forcing the entire Eden Gardens ground to be under covers.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

The fate of KKR largely depends on openers Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir. Their inconsistent form has been a worrying fact for the KKR, especially Uthappa, who has gone completely off-colours. They must get off to a steady start against the potent SRH bowling attack. Manish Pandey is also going through a similar phase. KKR will depend on how the top three performs. If the trio of Uthappa, Gambhir and Pandey get going then the match may certainly turn out to be an easy outing for th hosts. Middle order comprising of Yusuf Pathan, Shakib al Hasan, and Surya Kumar Yadav have been very useful.  All-rounder Andre Russell, who is the leading wicket-taker for KRR, still looks doubtful for the game. His absence was deeply felt in the last game. Needless plans of sending a less likely hitter like Piyush Chawla should also be avoided.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

The batting has continued to rely on David Warner. He has been prolific this season and is currently the second highest run-getter this season. The worry which SRH has is the rest of the batting order who have failed to support their skipper.  The KKR bowling attack can spoil this weakness if things go awry. Dhawan took some time to get in the groove and then three fifties in the mid-way in the league stages. However, he has yet again taken a downward spiral in the past four games. If he strokes fluently tomorrow with Warner then the middle order featuring Eoin Morgan, Moises Henriques, and Yuvraj Singh will have a good platform to capitalise. The bowlers continue to be their source of strength. The absence of Nehra, who was ruled out due to a hamstring injury, was rarely felt in the last game. Barinder Sran, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the wily Mustafizur Rahman still form a potent combination and will prove to be tough to get past.

Probable XI:

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Robin Uthappa (WK), Gautam Gambhir (C), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shakib Al Hasan, Jason Holder, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Ankit Rajpoot, Morne Morkel

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

David Warner (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, Yuvraj Singh, Eoin Morgan, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha (WK), Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Barinder Sran, Mustafizur Rahman