Knight Riders desperate for their momentum to turn
They've lost four matches on the trot - not the best place to be when you have to play IPL 2018 finalists Sunrisers Hyderabad, at their home ground
Big picture
In the news
Previous meeting
Likely XIs
Strategy punt
- The last time they met, Knight Riders did not open with Sunil Narine after he sustained a finger injury, going instead with Nitish Rana. If they go that way again, Shubman Gill could go back to opening - where his only fifty of the season has come - and allow Robin Uthappa to go back to a more suitable No. 3 after his 9 off 20 balls against Royal Challengers
- Knight Riders may also think about resting Kuldeep Yadav who has currently taken four wickets in nine innings at 71.5, his worst returns in an IPL season. KC Cariappa is an option to replace him
- Kane Williamson is yet to bat beyond ten balls this season. He could be allowed time to settle down by promoting someone like Yusuf Pathan to No. 4 should the openers provide another big start
Stats that matter
- Warner and Bairstow have put on six 50-plus partnerships in eight innings this season. Three of those have been century stands
- Having taken no wickets in the first three matches and going at 10.6 an over, Bhuvneshwar has turned it around with five wickets in the last five games at an economy of 7 per over
- Knight Riders have won 71.4% of the matches in which Kuldeep has gone at lesser than 8 per over. On the flip side, they've lost 72.7% of the time when his economy is greater than 9 per over
- Knight Riders need one more win to become the sixth T20 team to have 100 wins
Varun Shetty is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo