KKR vs LSG tip-off: Spin to play a crucial role at Eden surface, Andre Russell the bowler key for KKR

KKR have been inconsistent this season, losing four important games at home. Despite missing some star studded names, they have a good batting line-up, but their bowling has been a concern.

LSG, on the other hand, have been one of the most consistent teams this season.

The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having equal chances of winning. The Eden Gardens is a batting-friendly ground, and the team batting first will have a slight advantage.

KKR will be hoping for a big performance from their top order, while LSG will be looking to their bowlers to restrict KKR to a below-par total.

Here are the playing XI tip-off for KKR vs LSG:

Eye on the keepers

The two wicketkeepers playing in both the teams, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Quinton De Kock can be important hard hitting players at the top and on their day can take apart any bowling attack

Spin to win

With the Eden surface holding up well, once again in the last game, KKR will bank on their spin trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Suyash Sharma and Sunil Narine to strike. Their spells did make a difference in the recent couple of matches. The LSG batters have had no answers to Sunil Narine either, with only one in four of their batters striking at over 100 against him – Deepak Hooda.

Russell the allrounder

Andre Russell’s variations has been a thorn in LSG’s flesh with Deepak Hooda and Marcus Stoinis having trouble picking him and being dismissed four times

Replacement for Unadkat

LSG have replaced Jaydev Unadkat in the LSG squad for the rest of the season after the Saurashtra pacer sustained a shoulder injury. Suryansh Shegde has been named as his replacement

KKR vs LSG Pitch Report: A typically true surface at the Eden where the powerplay and the death overs are likely to belong to the batters, and the bowlers will typically have a chance to make a comeback in the middle overs.

KKR vs LSG Predicted XI:

KKR Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy

LSG Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (w), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Prerak Mankad, Krunal Pandya (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Swapnil Singh, Mohsin Khan

KKR vs LSG Squads:

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Jason Roy, Nitish Rana(c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, N Jagadeesan, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Mandeep Singh, Johnson Charles, David Wiese, Kulwant Khejroliya, Aarya Desai

Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Deepak Hooda, Prerak Mankad, Krunal Pandya(c), Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Swapnil Singh, Mohsin Khan, Kyle Mayers, Yash Thakur, Krishnappa Gowtham, Daniel Sams, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Amit Mishra, Karun Nair, Manan Vohra, Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, Romario Shepherd, Arpit Guleria, Suryansh Shedge, Karan Sharma