Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
KOLKATA: Change is now the buzzword in Bengal. And Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to do the same to their home winning record this season when they return to the Eden Gardens after almost a month. The three-time IPL champions got off to a poor start, managing just one home win in four matches to start this year’s campaign.They made a remarkable turnaround, winning four matches in a row, but a defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last game put them on the brink of elimination again. In reality, their chances of making the playoffs remain a mathematical possibility rather than a practical one. Even winning their last three games to take them to a maximum of 15 points may not be enough as they will have to hope for a string of other results. Winning three in a row will also not be an easy task for KKR as they take on Gujarat Titans on Saturday.The result of the match is likely to affect GT more than KKR as a win will not only confirm the former’s place in the playoffs but also boost their chances of a top two finish.The Titans play like a well-oiled unit that has all their bases covered. Even if you manage to limit their batting, the bowlers will come hard on you. Remember how they bowled out a batting powerhouse like Sunrisers Hyderabad for 86 in just the last game.They will start as favorites after a five-game winning streak. Former Knight Shubman Gilled would be keen to do a ‘double’ on KKR after beating them by five wickets in the first match almost a month ago.It would be a challenge for the KKR bowling unit to stop Gujarat’s in-form opening pair of Gill and Sai Sudharsan. These two are among the top 10 players this season and give the team a fast start in almost every game. Jos Buttler, though not at his best, has also contributed to a decent rally and will be keen to return to where he scored an unbeaten 107 off 60 for Rajasthan Royals in 2024.Washington Sundar, who scored 50 in the last game, should inspire the top three to play more loosely. And there is no soft selection in the bowling unit of Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder and Rashid Khan.Read More: Today’s IPL Match, KKR vs GT: Predicted Playing XI, Innings, Timing of the Bowl, Pitch Report, Kolkata Weather Update
