Time: April 1, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report for Kolkata vs Punjab Match
The Wankhede wicket has not been as easy to bat on as it is reputed for. An average of two wickets have fallen in the powerplay in two games. Given the conditions, the chasing team has found it easier to lay out batting strategies and steadily score runs.
Probable Kolkata & Punjab Teams
Probable XI for Kolkata: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (c), Sam Billings, Sheldon Jackson (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
Although Jonny Bairstow has joined the Punjab camp, he will be serving the three-day isolation. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada will make his debut for the franchise.
Probable XI for Punjab: Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Sandeep Sharma, Rahul Chahar.
Fantasy Cricket Team for Kolkata vs Punjab Match
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players for Kolkata Vs Punjab Match
Umesh Yadav has been on fire this season. He took 2 for 20 against Chennai and 2 for 16 against Bangalore. His wickets include top quality batters such as Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devon Conway – all of whom fell prey to him in the powerplay.
Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal continued their rich form in the Indian T20 League. The opening pair added 71 off 43, laying a solid foundation for a big chase against Bangalore. Both averaged 40 in the last season.
Venkatesh Iyer scored an eye-catching knock of 67 off 49 against Punjab in 2021. He then followed it up with bowling figures of 1 for 30.
Smart Picks for Kolkata Vs Punjab Match
Although Odean Smith leaked 52 runs in 4 overs, he made amends with the bat. He won the Player of the Match for his breathtaking innings of 25* off 8 against Bangalore, in pursuit of 206 runs. The innings was no shock from a batter who scores at a strike rate of 148 in competitive T20 cricket.
Tim Southee’s three-wicket haul may have gone in vain, but it at least kept Kolkata in the hunt. He took one wicket in the powerplay and two at the death.
Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer looked in good touch until they lasted. The experienced duo will have to bat responsibly if they are to post big totals. Kolkata’s overall batting has lacked teeth.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a known face to the Indian fans. He was Sri Lanka’s star batter against India at home last year. Against Bangalore, it was his counterattacking innings (43 off 22) that helped Punjab continue the momentum.
Andre Russell looked dangerous with the bat. His 25 runs included three sixes and a four. He, however, seemed to have picked up a shoulder injury and there’s no news whether or not he will bowl in the next game.
The ever-improving Shah Rukh Khan finished the game successfully in T20 cricket once again. His 24 runs comprised two sixes and a four.
Also read:
Mumbai vs Rajasthan, Indian T20 League 2022: Fantasy Cricket Tips
Kolkata Vs Punjab Match Match Preview
Kolkata (19 wins) edge past Punjab (10 wins) in the head-to-head count. While Kolkata have won one and lost one game this season, Punjab registered a thrilling win over Bangalore. As far as the combinations are concerned, Punjab have hard-hitters at their disposal and Kolkata have a star-studded bowling lineup.
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