On a high after back-to-back wins, Kolkata Knight Riders will start as favourites against the struggling Pune Warriors India when the two bottom-half teams clash here on Wednesday.
The Gautam Gambhir-led KKR may have to again depend on off-spinner Sunil Narine and experienced South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis against Pune, a team they beat only last week.
Both played pivotal roles in their win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in KKR’s previous match.
Kallis, who had an excellent outing with both the bat and ball against RCB, had said on Sunday that winning would motivate KKR to strive for what seems like an unlikely playoff berth.
Pune, on the other hand, would strive to sign off their campaign on a winning note to make up a bit for their 12 losses and a bottom finish.
PWI would have to largely depend on Yuvraj Singh, but he would have to adapt well to the pitch which did not encourage big hitting during the Kolkata-Bangalore tie
This had prompted Kallis to observe that the track at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Stadium was not ideal for Twenty20 cricket.
Supporting Kallis’ observation, former Bihar Ranji Captain Adil Hussain said toss would be vital once again as the pitch appears not to “suit” limited overs cricket.
The Warriors, meanwhile, have been woefully out of sorts in all departments of the game. Only opener Robin Uthappa and all-rounder Angelo Matthews have shown some spark of late.