Indian T20 League: Match 8- Kolkata vs Punjab: Three player battles to watch out for

Kolkata and Punjab will be facing each other in the 8^th match of the Indian T20 League 2022. The match will be taking place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two teams are coming into the match with completely different forms. Kolkata lost their last match against Bangalore, while Punjab won their previous match against the same opponents chasing down a huge target.

When these two teams face each other in the next match there will be a few clashes between the members of the team that will go a long way in deciding the fate of the match. Here are three important player battles that fans should watch out for.

1. Ajinkya Rahane vs Kagiso Rabada: Kagiso Rabada will be opening the bowling for Punjab. Ajinkya Rahane will be facing him in the early phases of his innings. The face-off between the two has been slightly tilted towards Rahane in the Indian T20 League. Rahane has scored 21 runs off 13 deliveries he has still now faced from the pacer. Rabada has not been able to dismiss him till now in the history of the tournament. Punjab will be hoping that Rabada changes that and dismisses Rahane early.

2. Andre Russell vs Rahul Chahar: Andre Russell has been dismissed 6 times by leg-spinners in the Indian T20 League. In the phase in which Russell generally bats, he will definitely be facing Bishnoi. The fact that he falls to leg-spinners might also induce Mayank Agarwal in holding back one or two overs of Chahar for Russell. The tussle between the ‘Hulk’ of Kolkata and the cunning spinner of Punjab will be exciting to watch.

3. Odean Smith vs Sunil Narine: In Punjab’s titanic chase against Bangalore, it was Odean Smith who made the task easier with his cameo. For Kolkata, Sunil Narine looks like the most feasible death bowling option. So, the two West Indians will be facing off against each other at a very crucial stage of the match. How Smith plays Narine will definitely play a big part in deciding the result of the match.