Kolkata Knight Riders eye playoff spot

One win away from clinching a playoff berth, the Kolkata Knight Riders will look to end any chances the Royal Challengers Bangalore have of making it to the knockouts as they play at the Eden Gardens today.

The Knight Riders have shown a glimpse of the form that won them the title in 2012, when they went unbeaten for six consecutive matches— a record they can equal today. The chief reason for the revival has been the opening partnership between Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir. Robin has been phenomenal after being promoted up the order with him crossing the 40-run mark in his past seven innings, including three half-centuries.

The win was significant as it opened up a two-point gap between them and Bangalore and Hyderabad, both of whom are still numerically in contention for a playoff spot.

Chennai face Hyderabad

Assured of a berth in the playoffs, the Chennai Super Kings would be aim to put their shock loss against Kolkata Knight Riders behind them as they take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chennai are currently second with eight wins in 12 matches, while Hyderabad are third from the bottom with just five wins in 12 games.

Their last match was a rare off day for the Chennai batsmen. Despite losing only four wickets, the struggled to cross the 150 mark. Later on, as the fielding side, the Super Kings failed to latch on to a couple of catches that could have turned the match for them. Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum, both of whom have been in form so far, failed to get going and will be aiming to make amends.

Suresh Raina battled to his third fifty for this season and looks to be peaking at just the right time. MS Dhoni has been an able finisher and despite not having an extended innings, he’s averaging 44.60—the best of any Chennai player. Chennai’s chief source of wickets, Mohit Sharma failed to bag one against Kolkata. Without his contribution, the Super Kings struggled and managed just two wickets.