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The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will host the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 53rd IPL 2023 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8. In the reverse fixture in Mohali earlier in the season, Punjab prevailed over the Knight Riders by seven runs via the D/L method.
Both teams have had mixed campaigns so far and are towards the bottom of the points table. A win today will certainly keep their chances of making it to the top four alive. While PBKS are placed seventh with 10 points, KKR are one spot below in eighth position with eight points.
KKR are coming into this contest on the back of a thrilling win against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). They successfully defended 171 runs and will look to keep their winning run going.
PBKS, on the other hand, have only themselves to blame as they failed to defend 214 runs against the Mumbai Indians (MI). The Punjab bowlers were erratic and couldn't apply pressure despite having runs on the board. However, PBKS will be boosted by Liam Livingstone's form as he scored an unbeaten 82 at a strike rate of over 195 against MI.
Meanwhile, the wicket at Eden Gardens is expected to be a batter's paradise and players from both camps will relish playing on this surface.
On that note, let's take a look at three players who will score the most runs in today's KKR vs PBKS tie.
#1 Jason Roy - KKR
Jason Roy has been in scintillating form ever since he joined KKR as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan. He has already scored 180 runs in four matches at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 159.29, with two half-centuries to his name.
The English batter scored a fine fifty against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in his last outing at Eden Gardens. Roy will hope to draw confidence from that innings and play another significant knock on Monday as KKR look to keep their winning run going.
#2 Shikhar Dhawan - PBKS
PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan is yet to play a significant knock after his return from injury. The senior batter got starts against the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians but failed to capitalize on them.
With an eye on India's ODI World Cup squad, Dhawan will look to make the most of the remaining matches and push his case.
Dhawan has a good record in Kolkata with 280 runs in 10 matches at an average of 31.11. If he gets going tonight, expect the southpaw to play a big knock at one of his favorite grounds.
#3 Liam Livingstone - PBKS
The hard-hitting PBKS batter finally found his mojo in the last game against Mumbai, playing a 42-ball 82-run knock in Mohali. Liam Livingstone struck seven boundaries and four sixes, striking at 195.24.
The right-handed batter looks dangerous when he is in form and will relish playing in Kolkata where the ball is expected to come onto the bat nicely.
Livingstone will fancy himself playing his shots and if he gets his timing right, expect him to play a swashbuckling knock at Eden Gardens.
