KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction & Betting Tips - May 08, 2023
We are at a critical juncture in the Indian Premier League with pretty much all teams well capable to qualify for the next round. KKR finds themselves in a must-win situation as they aim to reach 16 points for a top-four finish, and failure to win could mean curtains for their campaign. On the other hand, Punjab Kings have a little more leeway, but they still need a convincing win at Eden Gardens to avoid do-or-die territory and to boost their poor net run rate. Both these sides are still in the bottom-half of the points table and will need to get their act together as we approach the business end of the tournament.
<h2>Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Head to Head</h2>
Punjab Kings, erstwhile known as Kings XI Punjab, haven't enjoyed too much success against the Knight Riders and that would be playing on their minds. They have won 11 matches in the meeting between these two sides as compared to Kolkata's 20 wins. Most of Kolkata's dominance has come while chasing and that is what they'll want to do here as well.
Up next in the tournament, they both are all set to take on each other in what could prove to be a match that turns things around for the winning team. The match is to be played on 8th May 2023 at the Eden Gardens Cricket Ground, Kolkata. Both these sides have promising players who have done well up until now and a cracker of a contest is certainly on the cards here.
<h2> Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Live Telecast and Streaming </h2>
The match between Kolkata Knight Riders Punjab Kings can be watched online on Jio Cinema and Hotstar. To watch it on television, tune on to Star Sports Network and if you have a Jio STB, you can watch it on TV using Jio Cinema as well. In the USA, you can watch it on Willow TV.
KKR vs PBKS Team Previews
Kolkata Knight Riders
Despite surpassing pre-tournament expectations, Kolkata has struggled to maintain consistency, losing three of their last five matches. Although they secured a victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match, it's too early to say that they are in contention for their third IPL title. While the win silenced some critics, they must do more to convince their fans that they have what it takes to become champions again.
KKR's top order has been a major weakness, despite moderate performances by their openers Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and they haven't won their last three home matches. The team is expected to maintain the same batting order and spin group, but it remains uncertain who among Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, and Umesh Yadav will start as Indian seamers.
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing 11
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy.
Punjab Kings
Nathan Ellis has proven to be a versatile wicket-taker in this edition of the tournament so far, with a skill for taking wickets in all phases of the game, including the power-play, middle overs, and death overs this season, amassing three scalps in each phase. He boasts a remarkable powerplay economy of 6.8 in six innings, making him a strong candidate to start ahead of Rabada. However, Kings would also considering to include Rabada with his added pace and ability to trouble KKR's Indian batsmen as well as Russell and Sunil Narine with his pace and incisive short balls. Additionally, bringing in Sikandar Raza for Matthew Short could provide Kings with a useful batting and spin option. While picking one out of Ellis and Rabada would be tricky, we do expect Punjab Kings to bring in Raza for Short.
The Kings' middle order, headed by Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma, has the capability to create significant harm at Eden Gardens and poses a similar threat to Rana, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell. However, they must be cautious of the threat presented by Varun Chakravarthy and Suyash Sharma. If they manage to navigate these challenges skillfully, the Kings would be considered favorites to win the match, despite their inconsistent performance. It should be noted that the Kings have not won back-to-back games since their first two matches of the season and that would certainly be playing on their minds.
Punjab Kings Playing 11
Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
KKR vs PBKS Toss Prediction
We expect it to be a dry evening with minimal chances of rain. Sun does set early in this part of India and dew can therefore play a part as well. It would be a warm day with a cool breeze expected to make things cooler a bit towards the beginning of the match. Keeping all that into consideration and, of course, surface conditions, we expect the captain winning the toss to field first.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
Absolutely belter - this is what has been here at Kolkata in this season. Historically known to assist quick bowlers, this venue has been nothing short of a dream to bat on for the batters. The presence of dew in the second half of the match tilts it further in the favor of batsmen. The Kolkata pitch is batting-friendly and doesn't offer much threat from the turn of the ball. As a result, no total is considered safe, and it's anticipated that the par score for this match will be 200+. In the four games played at IPL 2023 at this venue so far, the average first-innings winning total has been 222. Considering all that, we expect the team batting first to aim for a minimum of a total of 210 runs. Anything less than that - is an advantage for the team chasing.
KKR vs PBKS Betting Tips
While none of the two sides have managed to string together the kind of consistency they would want, Punjab Kings seem to be having more bases covered - be it with the bat or with the ball. Their batting has consistently done well and with Liam Livingstone finally finding form, they have a one dangerous unit. Also, the surface at the Eden Gardens and large boundaries would offer some sort of respite to their bowlers. Added to that, KKRs recent record at the Eden Gardens has been dismal. Keeping all that into consideration, it makes all the sense in the world to bet on Punjab Kings’ win here.
Bonus Cricket Bets
We have seen tons of runs scored here at this venue in the last few games and we do not expect any difference here in this match too. With several power-hitters available on both sides and not-so-good bowling attacks, runs should come thick and fast. A bet on the match total to exceed 379 runs seems to be a pretty lucrative one.
Liam Livingstone is the kind of player who enjoys pace on the ball and no boundary is big enough if he gets going. We saw how dangerous he can be with the bat and his ability to contribute with the ball makes him a nifty player. He is certainly the most suitable candidate to bet on for the man of the match award.
Arshdeep Singh was carted away for plenty in the previous match but he has done pretty well in the tournament apart from that outing. Although he has not been as economical as he would have wanted to, he has picked up wickets. Considering that and the fact that he bowls at the death and in the powerplay, he looks good to emerge as the best bowler of the day from the Punjab Kings camp.
Punjab Kings have their power-hitters concentrated in the middle-order whereas Kolkata Knight Riders like to go all guns blazing right from the word go. Keeping that into consideration, we can safely bet on Kolkata Knight Riders to have a higher score at the end of the first six overs.
Who will win KKR vs PBKS
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Match Predictions
Cricket Betting Tips
- Highest opening partnership - India W (1.55) and 1 more BANW vs INDW betting tip
- Total runs in the highest scoring over of the match - Over 22.5 (1.95) and 2 more MI vs SRH betting tips
- Nazmul Hossain Shanto to become the top batter. - 4.10 and 3 more BAN vs ZIM betting tips
- Delhi Capitals to win the toss - 1.90 and 4 more DC vs RR betting tips
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.