Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders would be wary of a transformed and formidable Kings XI Punjab in their Indian Premier league face-off at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
The Purple Brigade, champions in 2012 and 2014, may boast of a 13-6 win-loss record against the perennial bridesmaid but the scenario looks different, especially in the context of an injured Chris lynn, the leading run-getter of the season. lynn had undergone surgery on the same shoulder in 2014 and the injury returned to haunt him, throwing his IPl campaign in disarray even as an official word was still awaited. While lynn looks doubtful starter against KXIP, KKR, however, will be boasted by the return of star India pacer Umesh Yadav who has joined the team on Tuesday. Yadav is likely to replace Ankit Rajpoot.
Kings XI have the X-factor in mentor Virender Sehwag who has already made his presence felt with his bold moves and have pulled a rabbit out of hat with back-to-back wins against Rising Pune Supergiant and Royal Challengers Bangalore.