Kolkata Knight Riders faces the daunting task of stopping the marauding pair of Glenn Maxwell and David Miller when it clashes with Kings XI Punjab here on Saturday.
Maxwell has been in supreme touch since the start of the league, having trampled rival bowling attacks with utter disdain. The Australian batsman literally toys with the bowlers as he hits them out of the park at will. With 279 runs at an incredible average of 93, Maxwell has hit an astonishing 17 sixes and 28 fours in three matches so far in an amazing display of power-hitting.
It will be interesting to see if Maxwell can bat the same way against wily spinner Sunil Narine, who has bamboozled even the good batsmen and has been economical at the same time.
KKR has also the talent and experience of veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis to bank on. The team will surely look up to the South African legend to produce something magical to dismiss Maxwell early.
However, before contending with Maxwell, Kolkata Knight Riders also has to deal with Virender Sehwag, who is rediscovering himself gradually.
With a 30-run knock in the previous match, Sehwag is gradually getting back his rhythm and even if Knight Riders succeed in getting rid of both Sehwag and Maxwell, they have the explosive South African Miller to deal with.
Miller has hit two half-centuries so far and led his side to a superb win against Rajasthan Royals with a blistering unbeaten 19-ball 51. In the middle-order, Miller has been a force to reckon with. Like, Maxwell, he too is striking the ball effortlessly.
For KKR, skipper Gautam Gambhir’s form is a big worry, as the left-hander has not scored a single run.
Three consecutive ducks was not something his side expected of him and he will be under pressure to come up with something better.
