Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as KL Rahul-led side won the toss and elected to bat first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Dr DY Patil stadium on Wednesday (May 18).
"We'll bat first. The pitch looks a bit dry. Last few games, it's been tough chasing. We have to be positive, we've done really well in the tournament. We need to start afresh, try to win this game and enjoy. We'll focus all of our energy on this game. We do have quality in the middle-order, everyone's experienced, you trust them to figure it out. We expect them to come back strong and deliver. We have three changes - Krunal has a niggle, so he sits out. Chameera and Badoni miss out. We've got in Vohra, Lewis and Gowtham in," LSG skipper Rahul said after winning the toss.
"I would have batted as well. This is going to be our last opportunity for us to express ourselves. Let's do it for the coaches, management and fans. Abhijeet Tomar comes in for Rahane," KKR captain Shreyas Iyer said before the match.
LSG already have one foot at the play-offs as they are placed at the third spot with 16 points but with a number of teams jostling it out for remaining three berths, they will look to add two more points to avoid any last-minute hiccup.
Meanwhile, KKR are placed at the sixth spot with 12 points, with seven losses and six wins and they will not only have to win but but do it with a big margin and then hope that other results go their way to salvage any hope of sneaking into the knockout stage.
Pitch report
"It's the 20th and the last game at the DY Patil Stadium this season. Over 6000 runs, nearly 250 wickets - the ground staff have provided brilliant wickets, amazing outfield. We are in the middle of the square today - 70m on one side, 73 on the other side (square boundaries). No worries for the captain or the bowler working out where to put your fielders. As a spinner, I am absolutely licking my lips at this pitch. It has got a bit tired, it's very flat, there's even grass coverage and it is still rock hard. This is going to turn, it's going to grip for the spinners. The team winning the toss should bat first. If you can get to 155-160 on this pitch, you are in the game," Graeme Swann analyses the pitch.
Kolkata Knight Riders' Playing XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Abhijeet Tomar, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings(w), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI: Quinton de Kock(w), KL Rahul(c), Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.
