The Kolkata Knight Riders will host the Deccan Chargers at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both sides will go into the game with six points each but the Chargers have played six games which is one less than what the Knight Riders have featured in.

Rather surprisingly, despite the kind of inconsistent performance given out by the Kolkata Knight Riders (5/4 at Sky Bet to win the game) in the tournament so far, the Chargers (4/5 at Totesports) are favourites to win the game, but only just.

With a batting line-up that is struggling for consistency at the top of the innings, the Kolkata Knight Riders need to start executing the back-up plans. Sourav Ganguly (4/1 at Boylesports to be the best bat) at the top of the innings could be a strict no-no, but whom do you replace him with. If Brad Hodge (4/1 at Boylesport) has to come into the side, then one of Chris Gayle (5/2 at Bet Fred), David Hussey (11/2 at Boylesports) or Angelo Mathews (10/1 at Stan James, all to be the best batsman) needs to go out. On form alone, Hussey should be the one sitting out, but he brings his batting and bowling to the table, making Hodge’s selection difficult. Brendon McCullum may not feature in the game given that he wouldn’t have had any time to recuperate from the gruelling schedule and jet-lag.

Manoj Tiwary (11/2 at Boylesports to top-score for his side) has caught a lot of experts’ eyes, with his couple of blazing fifties. And then, he has had a couple of ducks as well. Difficult putting your money on a player like him!

Deccan Chargers will rely on Adam Gilchrist (3/1 at Boylesports to be the top-scorer) to return to form. He had hit a half century early on in the tournament, but since then, he has had a struggle on his hands including a duck in the previous game. With Monish Mishra (6/1 at Blue Square to top-score for his side) not getting too many at the top of the order, the chances of VVS Laxman’s (11/2 at Boylesports) return are bright, but one of Herschelle Gibbs (9/2 at Blue Square) or Andrew Symonds (9/2 at 888Sport, all to top-score for Deccan) needs to smash a quickfire 40-50 to get the side going in the final few overs. Rather surprisingly, Dwayne Smith (10/1 at Ladbrokes to be the best batsman for the Chargers) is still waiting out in the ranks, and there could be a case to play him in the side.

Tips:
Favourites: Deccan Chargers (4/5 at Totesports)
Top Deccan batsman: Andrew Symonds (9/2 at 888Sport)
Top Kolkata batsman: Manoj Tiwary (11/2 at Boylesports)