Kolkata Knight Riders will get a chance to further their record in the IPL this year, when they play the bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The Punjab (11/8 at Sky Bet to win their second game of the tournament) side have barely managed to put a foot right in the tournament and have been dogged by many an off-the-field controversies. As compared to that, Kolkata (13/18 at Bwin) have blown hot and cold, but for now, have eight points and are at the fifth position in the points table.
The good news for the Knight Riders was that Sourav Ganguly (7/2 at Boylesports to be the best batsman) was back in form with a sparkling 88. With Chris Gayle (11/4 at Stan James to top-score for his side) at the other end due for a big one, and Manoj Tiwary (11/2 at Boylesports to be the best batsman for KKR) having got his runs in the tournament too, the Knight Riders suddenly have an edge to their side.
Brendon McCullum (3/1 at Boylesports to top-score for his side) continues to cool his heels in the dressing room, but there is a chance that he may replace Angelo Mathews (10/1 at Sky Bet to be the best batsman for his side) in the side and provide the side with the necessary impetus down the innings.
To say that Punjab is struggling in the tournament would probably one of the biggest understatements around. However, what would have warmed their hearts is the performance of the batting side in the previous couple of games, thanks to some crisp hitting by Kumar Sangakkara (7/2 at Stan James) and Ravi Bopara (9/2 at Boylesports both, to top-score for the side) in the Bangalore game. Even the under-fire Yuvraj Singh (9/2 at Boylesports to be the best batsman for Punjab) showed signs of recovering from his injury and bad form and blasted a quick-fire 20-ball 36 as Punjab looked to have made a match out of it.
Sky Bet offers 5/1 for Manvinder Bisla to top-score for Punjab, and that has much to do with the fact that he has contributed often in the series.
Tips:
Favourites: Kings XI Punjab (11/8 at Sky Bet)
Top Punjab batsman: Manvinder Bisla (5/1 at Sky Bet)
Top Kolkata batsman: Chris Gayle (11/4 at Stan James)