IPL 2021 – Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Monday 26th April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Where can I get tickets for Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders? IPL 2021 matches will initially be played without spectators but visit the official IPL website for any further updates
What channel is Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
PUNJAB KINGS
- Punjab Kings managed to get back to winning ways last time out as they overcame defending champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets to boost their confidence and snap a three-game losing streak.
- They made the decision to bring in Ravi Bishnoi for M Ashwin and that paid dividends and while there are still some question marks over their middle order, they know they have plenty more to come from some of their key men like Nicholas Pooran.
- With the move to Ahmedabad from Chennai, that could well see some adjustments to the team make-up as they could be tempted to revert to one of their overseas pacemen in Jhye Richardson or Chris Jordan ahead of Windies all-rounder Fabian Allen.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
- Kolkata Knight Riders will be grateful for the quick turnaround in matches as they come off yet another defeat on Saturday as after only mustering 133/9 when batting first against Rajasthan Royals, they comfortably lost to remain rooted to the bottom of the IPL ladder.
- Eoin Morgan’s frustrations continue as he was run out without facing a ball but he has put pressure on his top order by demanding they make a faster start as they are leaving the middle and lower order with too much work to do.
- They may contemplate tinkering with the line-up to try spark a reaction and that could see Ben Cutting or Lockie Ferguson come into the eleven at the expense of Sunil Narine on a track which is expected to favour pace rather than spin as it did in the recent series between India and England.
THE PREDICTION
Kolkata Knight Riders are in miserable form right now and it is hard to make much of a case for them but the Punjab Kings were virtually in the same position prior to their win last time out. Eoin Morgan’s call for his men to be braver and bolder may be just what they require as they desperately need to shake off their inhibitions. They may be meeting the Kings at the wrong time as they are getting a bit of form and momentum after beating the Mumbai Indians. The change in venue may suit them and they will be hoping their key men like Pat Cummins can raise their game on a track that should suit pace more than spin. Both teams will clearly prefer to chase here but this game could well just come down to which set of top order batsmen can produce. With that in mind, the preference has to go to KL Rahul and company at the top of the Kings order although this game could easily go either way.
