The Kolkata Knight Riders have won the IPL twice in the past, in 2012 and in 2014. They finished as runners-up in the Champions League T20 in 2014. Before the first win in 2012, they reached the IPL playoffs in 2011. Last year, they finished the tournament in fifth place, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders play all of their home games at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It is one of the iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It has a capacity of 66,000 and is the biggest stadium in India. Not only that, it is the second biggest stadium in the world, following the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Many tip it as ‘Cricket’s answer to the Colosseum.’ Without a doubt, this the best place in the whole country to relish a cricket match. Nothing beats Eden Gardens.
KKR will play their next home game on 4 May 2016 against Kings XI Punjab. Kolkata Knight Riders have a decent record against Kings XI Punjab and KKR would want that to continue in that home game as well. Moreover, we will enter into the second half of IPL 2016; every team will give their best and will look to book a place in the playoffs.
Manish Pandey, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa are some of the finest Indian batsmen and make a solid top order. Uthappa has been the top run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2015. KKR will want Uthappa to continue his domestic season’s terrific form. The New Zealander Colin Munro and Yusuf Phatan are very explosive and can change any match within a matter of moments. Yusuf Pathan will come in handy with the ball as well. They also have match winners in the form of Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan. These players will be crucial to Kolkata Knight Riders. Russell is in tremendous form. Remember, he had a great WT20.
In the bowling department, they have few talented Indian youngsters such as Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat. Piyush Chawla can turn around matches with his tricky bowling. Do not forget Brad Hogg and Sunil Narine. Hogg may be forty-five but still is very effective. Narine is one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket; well, this sums it up for Sunil Narine.
Overall, Kolkata Knight Riders will be tough contenders in IPL 9. They are very strong at home. KKR have won it twice, they would be looking to win it a third time and make history in IPL by being the first team to capture the IPL trophy thrice.
To know more about KKR’s squad and schedule, click here.
To book tickets online for KKR’s home games at Eden Gardens, get on Ticketgenie.
You can also get tickets at local outlets such as Pizza Hut and Barista. Moreover, you can always grab tickets from the stadium itself during match days.
Want to become their 12th man and travel the entire country this IPL? You can buy tickets for KKR’s away games online either on BookMyShow or Ticketgenie.
