KKR vs SRH Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016, Match 55

Sunrisers Hyderabad travels to Kolkata to take on the Knight Riders in this all-important penultimate league game that will play a massive role in deciding the qualifiers. Let's have a look at the possible shifts in the points table this game can bring. The Sunrisers have already qualified for the playoffs thanks to Gujarat Lions’ victory over Mumbai Indians. However, if they win here in Kolkata they will finish in the top two along with Gujarat and Warner will settle for nothing less!

KKR, on the other hand, can get eliminated if they lose here. These are desperate times for KKR and they would play hard to secure the two points which should take them to the playoffs as they have a decent run rate. I will stick my neck out and put the home side in front in this huge game. Needless to say, the captain winning the toss will have no hesitations in fielding first. Being a day game, the Eden pitch could offer turn for the spinners.

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Match date: May 22, 2016

Match timings: 1600 hrs IST

If Sunrisers Hyderabad bats first

Predicted score: 165 and above

There is way too much dependency on Warner as far as the batting is concerned. Warner was the sole batter who turned up against the Daredevils at Raipur and the others would need to pull their socks up. With guys like Shikhar Dhawan Eoin Morgan and Yuvraj Singh in their team, Hyderabad would want equal contributions from them in order to secure a win and go through to the top two in the points table.

Yuvraj has been in pretty good form after returning from the ankle injury and he will be the key in the middle order. Deepak Hooda at no. 3 will look to play his brand of aggressive cricket and try to unsettle the opposition with some lusty hitting. Morgan will be expected to throw the kitchen sink towards the end but it will be interesting to see if he gets a game after the disappointing outing in Raipur. Ben Cutting might be brought back. Also, Warner could look to play Moises Henriques in the lower middle order and ask Naman Ojha to bat up the order if a few wickets go early.

Expect the bowlers to be on the money as they have been throughout this Vivo IPL. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Barinder Sran will look to swing it up front with Mustafizur bringing his guile and variations to the table in the death. They will look to Karn Sharma to come good at the Eden. Also, Yuvraj will be expected to roll his arm over if the Eden pitch offers assistance to the spinners. Mustafizur vs Yusuf Pathan should be a wonderful contest.

If Kolkata Knight Riders bat first

Predicted score: 175 and above

Expect the openers Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir to fire on all cylinders at the start. They will be cautious against the pace sensation Mustafizur and would look to target the other bowlers. KKR would love to score somewhere around 50 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Manish Pandey will be keen to consolidate and anchor the innings.

Will Andre Russell be fit for this encounter is what the KKR fans would be asking? Russell has been a vital cog in the wheel for KKR and could be sent up the order to up the ante. If he misses out they might continue to play Jason Holder. Brad Hogg will also be a strong contender for a spot in the eleven.

The onus lies on Shakib, Yusuf, and Suryakumar Yadav to bat the oppositions out of the game by providing the thrust in the back end of the innings. Kolkata Knight Riders have the bowlers to back a good batting performance. They should look to play Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav should be given an opportunity to prove his mettle in this crunch game.

Sunil Narine will be used judiciously by Gambhir giving him one over spells. He might be used to bowl against the likes of Warner and Dhawan in the powerplay as the off-spinner will fancy his chances against the left-handers. With left-handers like Yuvi and Morgan in the opposition, Gambhir will be tempted to try out Chinaman Brad Hogg. Expect the Knight Riders to pip the Sunrisers at home to qualify for the playoffs.

Probable Winner: Kolkata Knight Riders