Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad will face each other for a very important match on September 25. With one win each from two matches, both teams will be eager to record a victory in Abu Dhabi to claim a better place on the points table.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunil Narine has been one of the core members of KKR over these years. He is also a member of Trinbago Knight Riders that have won the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League. Narine, although failed to make an impact with the bat, he took to major wickets for KKR in their previous match. Narine will be a key weapon for Dinesh Karthik with his ability to slow down the run in the middle.
Eoin Morgan cannot be missed in the shorter formats. He was not at his best in the recently concluded ODI series between England and Australia. He did try to get going in the first IPL match of KKR but could manage only 16 off 20 balls. Morgan has a decent IPL record so far and a big knock from will be beneficial for the side to seal a win.
We are talking about T20 and it is impossible to count out Andre Russell. The KKR superstar did not do anything great in the previous match to remember. But he has had some brilliant IPL all-round performance. KKR will need his service in this very important fixture and Russell should be able to cash on his reputation.
Pat Cummins is currently the No. 1 Test bowler, No. 6 ODI bowler in ICC rankings. He does not feature in the top ten T20I bowling rankings but that does not take away the mettle from him. Cummins ended up as the most expensive bowler of KKR and also, was the highest run-scorer for them in the last match. The 27-year old does like to produce a better bowling figure than the previous match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Jonny Bairstow was the highest run-scorer for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match. He scored 61 off 43 balls including six fours and two maximums for Yuzvendra Chahal, the best bowler of RCB that day got him out. His consistency can be an asset if the Hyderabad team wants to do well in the league. To lay a solid base for the side, Bairstow must click again.
David Warner is another cricketer of high repute. On his day, he has the ability to be a gamechanger. Warner’s records speak for his mettle as well. Despite being run-out in the first game after scoring just six runs, the team will look up to their captain. Warner, on the other hand after regaining his IPL captaincy would love to lead the team from the front.
Rashid Khan is the No. 1 T20I bowler. Moreover, his records are equally inspiring in UAE. Considering the condition and his form, Rashid Khan can be a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Khan has had good match practice as well in CPL 2020 where he scalped 11 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 22.6 and an economy of 6.8.
Mohammad Nabi in all likelihood will replace Mitchell Marsh in Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Afghan all-rounder can provide depth in the order with his wicket-taking ability and ability to add few runs at the lower middle order. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, Nabi took 12 wickets in 12 matches and scored 156 runs in 10 innings. He, with his Afghan junior, should have a huge responsibility to take the team ahead.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
