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The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) returns to Kolkata for the 53rd game between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens on Monday, May 8.
Both teams have similar fates so far in IPL 2023 and find themselves at the bottom half of the standings. While PBKS are currently placed seventh with 10 points, KKR are one spot just below in eighth position with eight points.
The Knight Riders have won two out of their last five games and need to buckle up to keep their hope of making it to the top four alive. Nitish Rana and Co. will look to draw confidence from the last game where they successfully defended 171 runs against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
PBKS, on the other hand, made a good start to their campaign but lost the plot after losing a couple of games on the trot. Punjab will be concerned with their bowling after they failed to defend 214 runs in their last fixture against the Mumbai Indians (MI). PBKS are likely to make a few changes to their lineup and come out all guns blazing against KKR to be in the race for a top-four finish.
While Eden Gardens has produced good batting wickets, bowlers might have a role to play as the game progresses. Both teams have some quality bowlers, who are capable of reaping the maximum benefits from the surface if there is something on offer.
On that note, let's take a look at three players who can pick up the most wickets in today's KKR vs PBKS tie.
#1 Rahul Chahar - PBKS
PBKS leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has had a difficult campaign so far, picking up only three wickets in 10 matches.
However, today might be the day when he can turn his fortunes around. The youngster enjoys a decent record against a few KKR batters and will fancy his chances of taking a few wickets in Kolkata.
Chahar has lacked rhythm in IPL 2023 but if he can find his mojo early on, expect him to be among the wickets against KKR.
#2 Varun Chakravarthy - KKR
The mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu has revived himself after a poor IPL 2022 campaign, where he managed to pick up only six wickets from 11 matches. He was eventually benched and the KKR management was criticized heavily for retaining him ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
However, Chakravarthy has worked on his game and come back stronger, picking up 14 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of 7.99 this season. He successfully defended nine runs in the last over against the SunRisers, which will surely boost his confidence ahead of today's contest.
The right-arm spinner fancies bowling at Eden Gardens and will hope to make his mark once again.
#3 Nathan Ellis - PBKS
Nathan Ellis has been in tremendous form in IPL 2023, picking up nine wickets in six matches, including a four-wicket haul against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
In a high-scoring game against Mumbai that saw over 400 runs being scored, Ellis stood out, finishing with figures of 2/34 from his four overs.
The Australian pacer will look to use his extra pace to great effect and hurry the KKR batters. Given the rhythm he is in, Punjab will rely heavily on Ellis to do the job against the Knight Riders.
