Indian T20 League 2022: Kolkata vs Punjab – Match 8 – Preview, Playing XIs, Where To Watch & Updates
kkr-punjab (image source: BCCI)
Punjab will play Kolkata in the 8th Match of Indian T20 League 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Punjab is coming into the match with a stunning victory against Bangalore in the first match. While Kolkata is coming into the match of a close defeat against Bangalore.
Let’s have a look at the important details of the match.
Team News
Kolkata: Kolkata will be looking to come back to winning ways after their close defeat against their arch-rivals Bangalore. The biggest woe for Kolkata appeared to be a brittle top order. The batter from Kolkata looked susceptible under pressure. Besides, their bowling attack looks like losing fire after the powerplay. The men in purple will look to address the issues quickly and come back strong in the next match.
Unavailable Players: Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins are not yet available for selection owing to national duties. There is a concern regarding Andre Russell’s fitness, reports claim that they might rest him. If they decide to rest Russell, Kolkata may look to use Mohammad Nabi for the match.
Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (C), Sam Billings (O), Sheldon Jackson (WK), Andre Russell (O), Sunil Narine (O), Tim Southee (O), Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
Key Players
Umesh Yadav: Umesh Yadav has been breathing fire with the new ball. He has already picked up 4 wickets from two matches in the tournament and all of them have been in the powerplay overs. Kolkata will expect Umesh to do the same against Punjab.
Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer is yet to fire in the tournament till now. But Kolkata will be hoping that Iyer finds his touch back against Punjab.
Andre Russell: In the match against Bangalore, Russell got dismissed just as he was looking dangerous. Kolkata’s fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Russell continues his unfinished job from the previous match.
Punjab: Punjab registered a great victory against Bangalore in their first match. They chased down a huge target of 206 runs. Their only woe in the first match looked like their bowling. But to the relief of the Punjab camp South African speedster, Kagiso Rabada has completed his quarantine and will be available for selection for the Kolkata match.
Unavailable Players: Johnny Bairstow will be the only major missing for Punjab in the match.
Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksha (O), Liam Livingstone (O), Rajangad Bawa, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith (O), Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada (O), Rahul Chahar.
Key Players
Shikhar Dhawan: Shikhar Dhawan holds the key for Punjab batting. They will depend on the left-hander to give them a solid start. In the first match, he looked in good touch but was dismissed after getting a good start. Punjab will be hoping that he converts the start in the next match.
Liam Livingstone: He holds the key for Punjab in the middle overs, as he has the responsibility of increasing the team’s run rate in the middle phase.
Kagiso Rabada: He will be the most important factor for Punjab in the match. Whether he becomes the answer to all their bowling woes will be interesting to see.
Pitch Report: The Wankhede Stadium has been the host for two matches in the tournament till now. In both the matches, the pitch looked to be sporting, providing something for everybody. Notably, both matches at the venue have been won by the team batting second.
Wankhede Stadium, Indian T20 League 2022
Average First Innings Total: 144.5
Average Second Innings Total: 147
Match Details
Date: 1st April 2022.
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7:30 PM
Broadcasting Details: Star Network for Television and Disney+ Hotstar for online streaming.
