Preview & Prediction: Match 46 (KXIP vs KKR)

The most important league game for both the teams so far. This clash can potentially decide a spot in the Playoffs as the teams below them on the points table have a lower Win/Game ratio. Both the captains will be under the scanner for the major decisions they take today as this is as crucial as it gets.

Pitch
Sharjah: Pacers pick wickets twice as quickly as spinners do here. The team winning the toss will prefer chasing.

Probable XI
KKR: Rana, Gill, Narine, Karthik, Morgan, Tripathi, Cummins, Varun, Krishna, Ferguson, Mavi/Nagarkoti

KXIP: Rahul, Mayank/Hooda, Gayle, Mandeep, Pooran, Maxwell, Jordan, Bishnoi, Murugan, Shami, Neesham

Head to Head
Head to Head KKR are way ahead and lead 18-8

KKR have won last 4 out of 5 games vs KXIP while KXIP has a current win streak of 4 in this season.

Players Match Up

Kings XI Punjab
-Gayle vs Narine: 48(58), 2 wkts
-Gayle vs Russell: SR 178
-Maxwell vs Kuldeep: 36(14), 2 wkts
-Rahul vs Narine: 78(40), 2 wkts
-Mayank vs Russell: 21(20), 2 wkts

Kolkata Knight Riders
-Gill vs express pace this season: 44(45), 2 wkts
-Karthik vs Legspin this season: 14(18), 5 wkts
-Karthik vs express pace this season: 16(21), 1 wkt
-Karthik vs Jordan: 25(16), 2 wkts
-Karthik vs Shami: 48(27), 1 wkt
-Russell vs Shami: 77(27), 1 wkt
-Narine vs express pace since 2019: 43(50), 6 wkts
 

HTH Records
Gayle has the most runs as he has played for both teams while Karthik has excellent numbers.

Fantasy Team
-Contribution from KKR is often distributed and uncertain, hence key players of KXIP as C/VC
-If Mayank/Russell plays, swap Morgan for him.
-Karthik is dropped because of match-ups.