Both sides have top-quality individual players and it would be interesting to see how the two sets of players handle each other.
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Two teams who have not had the best of starts to the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will go against one another on Monday in a bid to turn their season around. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) currently sit at eighth and fifth respectively on the points table. KKR are coming off a defeat at the hands of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after a performance that will raise questions about skipper Eoin Morgan’s batting lineup. PBKS, on the other hand, secured a massive victory in their previous game against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI).
Given the performance of both sides, the scales are tipped in KL Rahul’s favor but this IPL has already shown that form can sometimes go out of the window and anyone can beat anyone. Both sides have top-quality individual players and it would be interesting to see how the two sets of players handle each other.
Here are the five key player battles to look out for in PBKS vs KKR.
The most in-form batter in the PBKS side against a serial wicket-taker like Varun Chakravarthy promises to be a thrilling encounter. While it is still uncertain how the Motera track will behave, if it offers any sort of turn, then Chakravarthy can use to it his advantage.
A battle that will be at the back of fans’ minds will be the one between the two big West Indians. Both Russell and Gayle are severely destructive and it would be interesting to see how they match up against one another.
A battle of generations as the veteran pacer Shami takes on up and comer Shubman Gill will be a treat for the eyes. Gill has not had the best season so far and he will be eager to get runs on the board while Shami will look to keep his good run of form going.
Both youngsters have had impressive starts to the IPL season and their potential clash promises to be a potentially exciting encounter.
Both Agarwal and Cummins have not had great starts to the tournament but they have not played bad as well. It would be interesting to see how the young opener handles the Aussie’s pace and variations.
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