Buoyed by a record-levelling sixth win on the trot and the confirmation of their place in the playoffs, Kolkata Knight Riders will now gun for a top-two finish when they take on a resurgent Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPl fixture here on Saturday.
In a season reminiscent of their triumphant 2012 campaign, KKR have emerged as the team to beat with some clinical performances, be it against formidable two-time former champions CSK or a misfiring RCB.For KKR, the challenge from here on would be to continue the awesome run, while Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to keep their playoff hopes alive in the concluding league match. Hyderabad chased down Chennai Super Kings’ 186 with six wickets and two balls to spare last night for a second consecutive win.
A win for SRH doesn’t guarantee them a place in the playoff as with 14 points their progression would depend on the two matches each of Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians both of whom are in contention.With Kolkata hosting the first qualifier (on May 27), a top two finish will give KKR an advantage to play the match at Eden which has witnessed packed crowds with 70,000 odd crowd on both the previous occasions.