Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions

April 21 (CRICKETNMORE) - In-form team Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Gujarat Lions in the 23rd match of IPL 2017 today i:e Friday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders are riding high with four wins in five matches where Gujarat Lions manage to won just one match from same number of matches. 

Current Status in IPL 2017 Points Table

Kolkata Knight Riders: Rank - 2, Matches - 5, Won - 4, Lost - 1, Points - 8

Gujarat Lions: Rank - 8, Matches - 5, Won - 1, Lost - 4, Points - 2

Head to Head

Overall: Matches played – 3, Kolkata Knight Riders won – 1, Gujarat Lions won – 2

Kolkata Knight Riders

All the main players are looking in good form. Top order - Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey are giving good starts. Manish Pandey has been dismissed only once during the 4 matches played and is team’s top run-getter. Middle order has destructive Yusuf Pathan. Bowling have the spin duo of Sunil Naraine and Kuldeep Yadav where as fast bowling have in-form Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav.

Gujarat Lions

The journey for the team has been tough so far. The batting will revolve around Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina. Jadeja can contribute with the bat down the order along with Ishan Kishan who can hit big shots. Bowling department is little weak and Raina has to get the best out of the available options.  

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IPL 2017 Points Table

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Expected Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gautam Gambhir (capt), Colin de Grandhomme, Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Woakes/Shakib Al Hasan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav.

Gujarat Lions

Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina (capt), Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Andrew Tye/James Faulkner, Basil Thampi, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shadab Jakati