Kolkata ready to hand decisive blow to Punjab

Knight Riders start as favourites in Kings’ do-or-die clash

It’s a do-or-die battle for Punjab Kings against a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.

KL Rahul’s men are now pushed against the wall more by their own doing than the brilliance of their opponents.

In two of the last four contests, Punjab frittered away their chances and pulled off defeat from the jaws of victory.

Gayle pulls out

On current form, it would be a Herculean task for Punjab Kings to overcome a Kolkata outfit that has already hit top form and gearing up for the playoffs.

Punjab have a major worry to contend with in all three departments of the game and unless there is complete change of attitude, especially the middle order batsmen, it will be difficult to put pressure on the Knight Riders, who have got the right combination in both batting and bowling departments.

Star Windies batsman Chris Gayle has pulled out of the season 14 citing bubble fatigue as a reason, which has compounded Punjab’s woes.

Rookie Venkatesh Iyer’s form with the bat and ball has given captain Eoin Morgan a happy problem at a time when he is having a real big headache with his own form. The England skipper, however, did not allow his form to cloud his judgement as the skipper and has marshalled his resources well to guide them to wins over Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi.