IPL 2017: Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 5 factors of winning

#3 Strategy

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith lend weight at the top for the Lions

Strategies will play a crucial role in this encounter. KKR have the mastermind of Jacques Kallis at their service while GL rely on the experience of Brad Hodge. Kallis is indubitably one of the best all-rounders game has ever seen and KKR will be more than happy to have him guide the troops as a coach.

For Kolkata, it will be important to get rid of McCullum and Smith early on in the innings and put the opposition on the back foot. Both the batsmen look bereft of oomph against spin early on in the innings and KKR can test their Achilles’ Heel with Kuldeep and Narine.

Suresh Raina, on the hand, has been out of the Indian team and will look to get back into the groove in his very first game for sure. KKR bowlers are well-equipped to strike on a regular basis, which will be the key.

For GL, they will have to do the same and get rid of KKR’s top-order, especially Gautam Gambhir early as the southpaw has a knack of scoring big. KKR have lacked confidence when Gambhir fails to score at the top.