Punjab Kings will be playing match no.31 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Both the teams are closely placed on points table – with KKR at 5th and PBKS on 6th and the contest is set to be even more thrilling as Shreyas Iyer is all set to face is former franchise.
PBKS Vs KKR: Pitch Report
The seam at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has hitherto presented an even contest between bat and ball. Towards the beginning of the innings, the pacers should get some support with some movement and a touch of bounce, particularly under the lights. However, as the game unfolds, the pitch tends to ease off, favoring strokeplay by batters.
While spinners can get purchase now and then in the middle overs, the pitch’s nature, along with the quick outfield and comparatively shorter square boundaries, invites aggressive batting. Matches at the ground have already indicated that a score of 170-180 is competitive, but anything below 160 might just be short, especially if dew starts to play a role later during the game.
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PBKS Vs KKR: Toss Strategy
Given the likelihood of clear weather and dry conditions, the toss will be important. The winning side will more than likely choose to bowl first. Evening matches played in Mullanpur have witnessed the ball skidding under lights, and with the added possibility of dew, defending a score becomes tougher. Chasing sides have had a narrow advantage in recent games at this ground, and captains will be required to consider that. With a clear sky and temperatures between 25 and 38 degrees Celsius on the day of the match, it is set to be a high-intensity encounter where the toss could play a major role in determining the result.