IPL 2016, KKR vs SRH Playing 11: Probable XI for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad
The penultimate match of the VIVO IPL 2016 league stage will feature Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad as they battle it out at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It will be an extremely crucial match for home side KKR as their progression to the playoff stage of the tournament depends on the result. SRH, meanwhile, sit pretty on top of the points table at present but will want to win in order to end up being among the top two teams. Kolkata had been doing well for most of the season but have suffered consecutive losses in their last 2 games. Hyderabad, on the other hand, had started the tournament poorly but produced a fine performance post that to make it to the top of the table.
Here's a look at the team which may play for KKR on Sunday:
Batting
Skipper Gautam Gambhir has done it once again for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing season as he is the team's leading run-getter with 457 runs from 13 innings including 5 fifties. His opening partner, Robin Uthappa, has done a good job too as he has scored 358 runs in the tournament so far.
Hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan has been at his best this year with a tally of 307 runs at an incredible average of close to 77 and a strike-rate of 147.59. Among the other batsmen, Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav have played decently with more than 150 runs each. Shakib Al Hasan, though, has not been at his prolific best as he has scored just 107 runs in 6 innings.
All-rounders
Andre Russell has been the ace all-rounder for the Knight Riders in the ninth edition of the IPL. The West Indian cricketer has scored 188 runs at a thunderous strike rate of 164.91 and also a number of wickets to show for his efforts. Shakib has not been able to inspire his team much this season with just over 100 runs and very few wickets.
Bowling
Russell has picked up 15 wickets in the 2016 IPL to be the leading wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders. Paceman Umesh Yadav has been effective, too, with 10 wickets in the 9 matches he has played. Piyush Chawla has been the team's most successful spinner as he has claimed 11 wickets and conceded his runs at under 8 per over.
Ace spinner Sunil Narine may not have been at his best this year but he has still managed to grab 8 wickets and boasts of an economy rate of just 7. South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, too, has produced a credible performance with 8 wickets in 9 matches. Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg played a few matches and managed to take 4 wickets as well.
Probable Playing XI
Gautam Gambhir (c), Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel.