The clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have always produced exciting results, and one can expect the same when both sides clash in the second game of the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens on March 24 (Sunday).
Return of Warner will be key
Both the teams performed exceptionally well in the last season and would be keen to hit the strides early in the season. While the Knight Riders lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifiers, Hyderabad went down against Chennai Super Kings in the final. Ahead of another season, both the teams have added some quality cricketers in their arsenal. However, now their main aim will be to strike a balance and hit the right tones from the start of the season.
The addition of former skipper David Warner will be a massive booster for the Hyderabad side. The devastating southpaw has announced his arrival with an excellent fifty in a practice game. Although they have traded Shikhar Dhawan – in favour of Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, and Shahbaz Nadeem, it won’t be a massive problem with Jonny Bairstow coming in. They also boast the ever-reliant skipper Kane Williamson who will have the job of holding one side firmly.
Knight Riders suffer huge blow
Besides, they have quality bowlers in their ranks as well who can change the course of the game on any given day. The likes of Rashid Khan and Bhuveshwar Kumar will lead the charge with the ball. On the other hand, the Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight Riders have a young team who have performed exceedingly well in the previous edition.
They have a balanced side and the addition of Carlos Brathwaite and Joe Denly will only make them stronger. However, they have lost three fast bowlers ahead of the start of the season which will be a massive blow for them. The young Indian fast bowling duo of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti along with South Africa’s Anrich Nortje has been ruled out due to injury. However, they have added Kerala fast bowler Sandeep Warrior and KC Cariappa in place of two injured Indian fast bowlers. The home side won’t want to read too much into it and put their best foot forward.
Date & Venue: March 24 (Sunday) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Weather Forecast
It will hot and humid in Kolkata, and the temperatures will hover around 38 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius. There is no rain in the forecast which will be a good sign for both the squads as the spectator can witness full 40 overs of action.
Being a day game, the team bowling first will have a massive benefit as the dew factor will come in the second half. The bowlers will found it hard to grip the ball, and once the ball crosses the infield, it will race away to the boundary.
Here are some other details:
