Mumbai’s victory over Hyderabad last night sealed the third and penultimate spot of the Indian T20 League playoffs. With just one place up for grabs, the teams in the running will go all guns blazing. Starting tonight, Punjab are scheduled to host Kolkata in Mohali and a victory would bring the winner a step closer to their target.
If we are to judge through the books of memoir, Kolkata come into the fixture as overwhelming favourites, having won 16 of their 24 encounters. Punjab, on the other hand, have registered just eight victories over the years. Judging by the recent form though, there is little to separate these two teams as both of them have won just one of their last five encounters this season.
Meanwhile, the last time these two clashed this season Kolkata emerged victorious by 28 runs.
That being said, let’s have a look at who should be your top picks from the game.
Batsman: KL Rahul
Punjab opener KL Rahul has been a consistent performer and the fact that he has scored two half-centuries in his last four games is a testament to it. Above all, Rahul loves playing Kolkata’s bowling attack, having scored 28 runs against Russell in just 18 deliveries and 30 in 17 against Piyush Chawla. Sunil Narine remains his favourite prey, as he has smashed the Caribbean for whopping 70 runs off just 32 deliveries.
All-Rounder: Andre Russell
There’s absolutely no doubt about the fact that Russell’s ability with both bat and the ball has been unprecedented this season. 50 sixes in mere 12 matches is a figure which could well and truly be described as inhuman. Russell is so far ahead in the list that the second-placed player (Chris Gayle) sits 18 sixes behind in the tally.
The last time Russell faced Punjab, he ended up scoring a 17-ball 48 and picked two wickets, conceding just 21 runs in three overs.
Bowler: Mohammed Shami
Punjab pacer Mohammed Shami’s resurgence in the Indian T20 League has been a prolific one, to say the least. With 16 wickets (contribution of 26.23% in his team's total wicket tally) in his kitty this season, Shami has registered his best-ever tally in the history of the tournament. Shami is not just about wickets though; his average (27.31) and strike rate (18.00) this season is his personal best as well. As far as Kolkata are concerned, their opener Chris Lynn remains his favourite prey, having conceded a mere 12 runs in 13 deliveries and dismissing the Australian on two occasions.
