Captain Morgan to step up in key KKR match

The Chennai Super Kings may already be out of the running for a play-off spot in this seasons Dream11 Indian Premier League, but the result in this one could still go a long way to shaping what sides will break in to those top four spots. The Kolkata Knight Riders will need to regain some of the form they had at the start of the IPL if they are to reach the next stage in the competition

The Kings dead rubbers

They might be out of the running now, but CSK have put in some high quality performances in parts of this year’s IPL, but for the majority have frustrated their loyal fans by not being able to string good moments together. Last time out it was a comfortable dismantling of the Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets, which proves what they can do when they are at their best. Three wickets for Sam Curran and two for Deepak Chahar kept RCB to just 145 from their 20 overs.

In return it was another change in approach at the top of the order with Ruturaj Gaikwad being promoted to the top of the order to partner Faf du Plessis. And it looked like a winning formula with Gaikwad hitting 65* to help carry his side over the line. He was helped with contributions from du Plessis (25), Rayudu (39) and Dhoni (19), but it is a shame for CSK fans that it seems to have come too late. With what looks like being a drastic overhaul for next year, it will be interesting if this order is seen in 2021.

Time to get on a run

There hasn’t been a team more inconsistent in this seasons IPL than the Kolkata Knight Riders who find themselves just outside the top four on net run rate. And with the superb bolt up the table from the Kings XI Punjab, Eoin Morgan’s men will know that they are going to need two wins from their final two games to give them a shot of making the top four.

It was the Kings XI who put them to the sword last time out in a scorecard that looks very similar to the CSK vs RCB one discussed previously. Only three KKR batsman got in to double figures with Shubman Gill top scoring with 57. Defending just 149, questions were asked as to why pace bowler Lockie Ferguson was left until third change to enter the attack instead of opening the bowling with Pat Cummins.

Match Tip

With the pressure on, there is no one better to handle it than KKR skipper Eoin Morgan. Whilst CSK will be playing with no pressure, they pose a dangerous threat to the Knight Riders who will be desperate for the points.

I am backing Eoin Morgan to hit more than 22.5 runs in the match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders at 1.87 with Unibet.

Bet Eoin Morgan to hit more than 22.5 runs on Unibet