All eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer as he returns to Eden Gardens after a year, but this time as captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), aiming to hand Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) their sixth defeat of the season when the two sides meet in the reverse fixture on Saturday, April 26.
In their earlier encounter, Punjab Kings defended a modest total in Mullanpur, delivering what remains KKR’s toughest loss of the season. That defeat has somewhat derailed KKR’s campaign, and with the playoff race heating up, they can no longer afford slip-ups. The batting unit, in particular, must step up, as inconsistent performances with the bat have been their undoing. A complete, all-round effort will be required if KKR are to topple a strong and in-form PBKS outfit.
Pitch Report
The match will be played on the same surface that hosted the Gujarat Titans’ last game. Although there was slight dew, the GT spinners still managed to make an impact and successfully defended a target. If the pitch behaves similarly, batting first might not be a bad option despite the historical trend favouring chasers at Eden Gardens.
Weather Forecast
The weather looks clear, with no chance of rain. Expect pleasant conditions with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius on Saturday evening in Kolkata.
Head-to-Head
KKR hold the edge historically, having won 21 of their 34 matches against PBKS.
Where to Watch
Catch the action live on Star Sports Network or stream it via the JioCinema app and website.
Match Prediction
Punjab Kings will start as favourites, but KKR will need to make bold moves and a strong performance to return to winning ways.