The games between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab has been one sided so far. The Kings XI is being run over by KKRs in seven matches they played at the latest. In season 2016, the Mohali match was a bummer for Kings XI who lost seven of their batsmen at single digit scores to KKR. The team has been strong with the opening strikes of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa since Chris Lynn has been absent. They players has a record figure of 400 plus runs in three consecutive seasons, which they brought partnering at the top. The batting option being spearheaded by Gambhir and Uthappa, the bowling arsenal is expected to bolster with Umesh Yadav and Shakib Al Hasan.

Eden Garden, lately, is been recognized as a seamer friendly pitch. This puts player like Colin de Grandhomme at spot light. The Kiwi allrounder has been seeking a good play in IPL. The match can be a good opportunity for the bowler cum batsman with a strike rate of 171. IPL records in Eden Garden brings a better prospect for teams batting second in night tournaments. So far, five matches of six has been won by chasing team on the pitch. It was only the Kings XI that won the match batting first. Players like David Miller are being more expressive batting on the second inning. Miller’s average is 54 with a strike rate of 147 in the second inning. In first inning, his average is almost half at 28.

Wriddhiman Saha, Kings XI wicket keeper, is positive on Maxwell’s aggression as a batsman. He remined how Virender Sehwag and Maxwell himself has been teaching to “play freely and without thinking much.” This might be the key reason Kings XI has been successful so far to impress. Saha said in the last matches they played this season, the free strike of batsman after an initial knock was a “big plus.” The team has been winning the matches chasing only for 15 to 16 overs.