Placed at the bottom of the group Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors meet in match 65 of IPL 4. While KKR would want to seal their knockout place, Pune Warriors would want to sign off in style, specially Dada against his old team.
History
They will play first match against each other.
2011 Performance
Pune Warriors had a good start and lost momentum later with 5 losses on trot now. Both matches they won batting second, but lost third match in high scoring game when they had to defend. In the first match they defeated Kings XI by 7-wickets, while in 2nd match defeated Kochi Tuskers by 4-wickets. But, against Delhi Daredevils at home, their bowlers failed to defend the high total. Mumbai Indians forced them into submission with bowling. In the last match, the batsmen failed to chase a low total against CSK. In the back-to-back match against CSK, they failed to defend almost the same target. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last match, except Yuvi, the bowlers and batsmen succumbed. Against Rajasthan Royals the batsmen failed to impress, and Warriors lost 6th game on a trot. Losing back-to-back matches against Mumbai Indians, they lost 7th game on a trot. Yuvraj’s Mohali helped them finally win another match against Kings XI. They won Away match against DC, but lost Home match to them.
The Knights lost the first match again Chennai Super Kings, which they should have won, while won the close match against Deccan Chargers at home. Playing back-to-back matches against Rajasthan Royals, they first won the away match chasing a record total, and then ridiculed the Royals batsmen in the Home game. But, against Kochi Tuskers their batsmen could not even chase a target of 132. Ex-Kinght Gayle-force marooned KKR with a century. But they won comfortably against DD. Yet, the same Gayle-force again haunted them in the rain-affected match at Bangalore.
Player’s Performance
Pune Warrior’s player performance index is not so high-profile. Mithun has joined Yuvraj, Ryder, Manish Pandey and Uthappa in 100-plus club. Their bowlers are performing better earning 56 wickets in 12 matches, but batting is failing to back-up.
KKR Player’s performance index shows comparatively better batting performance as they have 3 batsmen around 300-score among 5 batsmen scoring above 100 runs. KKR’s bowling unit has been effective taking 55 wickets in 12 matches, barring the slaughter by Gayle.
Who Will Win Today!
Warriors have won when they were not expected. Today again they are not touted to be the winner. KKR should win it easily. But considering Ganguly’s presence and a match with no pressure, the trio of Ganguly/Yuvraj and Rahul Sharma gives Warriors the edge.
Key Battles
Ganguly vs KKR
Eden will be in a fix. What do they chant!! Dada or KKR!! Probably Dada’s chant will reign. Dada too will have a very emotional moment, one of the most testing moment of his life. This may not be his last inning at global arena, but may become the most defining momment of his life.
Kallis/Gambhir/Tiwary vs PWI Bowling
The in-form trio of KKR may face a tough task ahead. Although PWI bowling unit has not been deadly, but Rahul Sharma has been exceptional. Thomas has also shown good temperament and both of them with Yuvraj can be a tricky situation for KKR batsmen.
Yusuf Pathan Vs Yuvraj
Two devastating players will test each other. While KKR is not so much dependent on Yusuf Pathan on a match having score around 150, but above that or even for a good run rate Pathan is the key. He has also flicked his arms with good effect. Yuvraj on the other hand is the backbone of PWI. As the captain, batsman and bowler he has a lot of work in every match to do. But, the battle won between these two will decide the match.
Pune Warrior Squad
Batsman: Yuvraj Singh (Captain), Mitchell Marsh, Callum Ferguson, Tim Paine (WK), Graeme Smith, Manish Pandey, Eklavya Dwivedi, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Harshad Khadiwale, Mohnish Mishra, Robin Uthappa (WK), Ganguly
Allrounder: Nathan McCullum, Angelo Mathews, Jesse Ryder, Mithun Manhas
Bowlers: Wayne Parnell, Jerome Taylor, Alfonso Thomas, Imtiyaz Ahmed, Kamran Khan, Murali Kartik, Ganesh Gaikwad, Harpreet Singh, Dheeraj Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shrikant Mundhe, Sachin Rana, Rahul Sharma, Shrikant Wagh
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad
Batsman: Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Brad Haddin (WK), Eoin Morgan, Manvinder Bisla, Shreevats Goswami, Laxmi Shukla, Manoj Tiwary,
Allrounder: Jacques Kallis, Ryan ten Doeschate, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan,
Bowlers: Brett Lee, James Pattinson, Pradeep Sangwan, Jaidev Unadkat, Shami Ahmed, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Rajat Bhatia, Sarabjit Ladda, Iqbal Abdulla
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