Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra is not sure about picking the winner between two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings at the iconic Eden Gardens. A win would keep the Nitish Rana-led side in the hunt for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Punjab side would look to move up in the points table with a win against KKR on Monday.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra previewing the game on his youtube channel said that he has no idea about the favourites of the match, as both the teams are equally poised on paper and feel that Punjab Kings would be pleased to win against KKR as they have a great opportunity to move up in the points table.
“The scale is tilted in whose favour? I have got no idea. It is a great opportunity for Punjab because if you win the match from here, you will straightaway go to the third spot. One win and you are actually in the top three. This is phenomenal with the kind of start that you had,” Aakash Chopra said.
The 45-year-old feels that Nitish Rana-led side will be high on confidence after their victory against the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad and on the other hand, Punjab Kings are coming off after a loss against Mumbai Indians in a high-scoring encounter.
“Kolkata, on the other hand, are coming after winning their last match while Punjab are coming after losing their last game. It will be a good match. May the best team win. Both captains are from Delhi – Shikhar Dhawan and Nitish Rana, but the match will be enjoyable. It is 100% guaranteed.”
Kolkata Knight Riders have four wins in the 10 league game so far and the next four games will be must-win games for the four-time champions to see themselves in playoffs. Punjab Kings will look to the stage after a heartbreaking loss against Mumbai Indians.
KKR Should Go With The Spin-to-win Formula – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that Kolkata Knight Riders should give a spin pitch against the Punjab Kings as the two times champions KKR rely on their spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Suyash Sharma to perform for their side in this edition of IPL 2023.
“On the Eden Gardens ground, you (KKR) should go with the spin-to-win formula. You have three good spinners and play Suyash Sharma this time, and the opposition does not have that good spin. Punjab have fast bowling and they have spin bowling. So it will be a very interesting contest,” Aakash Chopra added.
Earlier in the game against SRH, Chakravarthy bowled brilliantly well to concede only three runs in the final over to help his side cross the final hurdle and it will be interesting to see the kind of pitch that Kolkata provide for the Punjab Kings side.