Kolkata Knight Riders will be desperate for their spinners to rediscover the bite against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL match involving two batting-heavy sides here on Thursday. This fixture also marks the start of a crucial home stretch for the three-time champions, who will play three matches in seven days and another on April 19 before the Kolkata leg pauses for nearly a month due to the upcoming assembly polls.
With four away games to follow and their next home fixture scheduled only on May 16, KKR know it is imperative to build momentum in this phase. Historically, Eden Gardens has been a stronghold of KKR, winning 54 out of 95 matches since 2008.
Sunrisers find themselves in a similar position after starting their campaign with a loss to reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
SRH boast a star-studded top order comprising Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Travis Head. But their bowling looks vulnerable — especially in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is yet to return to full match fitness — as they failed to defend 201 against RCB.
The Australian skipper has resumed bowling in the nets and is targeting a comeback in the middle of the tournament, but for now, SRH must manage without their leader.
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