IPL 6: Match 56 – PWI vs KKR – Match Preview

It’s a battle of strugglers tonight as Pune Warriors India clash with Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 56 of IPL 6.

Previewing the host first, Pune Warriors have been nothing sort of abysmal this season, winning just two out of their 12 matches, and will be keen to stop their seven-match losing streak. Many Pune fans will claim they have been unlucky this season, coming close to winning on several occasions. You can only use that excuse twice or thrice but if it happens five out of twelve times, you have to admit there is something wrong somewhere.

It is true that Pune Warriors have found it difficult to close the games, be it chasing or defending, and that is one of the reasons they find themselves at the bottom of the table. Case in point being their previous outing, when they posted a formidable 178, only to helplessly see their hosts, Rajasthan Royals, chase it down with a ball to spare. Pune Warriors don’t have much to gain from this match but the fact that they are yet to win against the Knight Riders will at least give them something to play for.

The following stat sums up the Pune Warriors’ scenario – Pune Warriors have the worst win-loss record among all the teams in the IPL. They have played the 42 matches in the tournament so far, winning only 10 while losing 31, with one match being abandoned.

Coming in to this year’s tournament as defending champions, KKR have looked a shadow of the team that won the title last year, winning just four matches from 12 so far. In theory, KKR can get to a maximum of 16 points if they win all their remaining matches. A close look at the points table will show that they will need other results to go their way to take them through to the play-offs. Despite the near hopeless scenario, when they get their act together, KKR are still a fearsome team. KKR will come into the match knowing that they have 100% win record against Pune Warriors and will look to keep that intact.

Pitch and conditions:

On the evidence of the matches played so far this season, the pitch in Pune is a batting paradise, with several high scores this season highlighting that fact. The team winning the toss would have no hesitation in batting first and putting pressure on the opposition.

Team news:

With Steven Smith out of the IPL due to injury, Pune would have no hesitation in drafting in Mitchell Marsh who has done reasonably well for them with the bat this season.

Given the lack of options in the pace attack, add to that Ryan McLaren’s below par performance against Mumbai, Ryan ten Doeschate may get a look-in. The Essex and Dutch all-rounder has been warming the benches this season and his inclusion will bring some depth to a brittle middle order, while handing Gambhir the option of a much needed fifth bowler.

Watch out for:

Aaron Finch – He has not been too impressive with his captaincy so far but as an opener, he’s got his team off to good starts with Robin Uthappa, though the failure of the much vaunted middle order has hampered the team. With nothing at stake for Pune Warriors in this game, he’ll be hoping to upset Knight Riders’ party tonight.

Eoin Morgan – Looked upon as a great finisher world over, Morgan has so far failed to lit up this year’s IPL. He has shown flashes of brilliance but has failed to provide consistency to KKR middle order. It would be fair to conclude that he has failed to replicate his England form with KKR. KKR knows how good a finisher he is and as a result have stuck with him. It is time for Morgan to pay back some of the faith showed on him by KKR management.

Prediction:

KKR come into this match with 100% win record against Pune Warriors and I see no reason that would change after this game.