There’s a hitch with Mitch!

KKR’s Mitchell Starc during a practice session ahead of their game v PBKS in Kolkata on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

Friday's clash between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders may appear to be a mismatch, but the Knights know better. Having survived bottom-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru by the skin of their teeth on Sunday, KKR will be loath to taking anything for granted. There are no battle of unequals in IPL.

Iyer & Co are in top-two

Despite never slipping from their top-two position, Shreyas Iyer & Co. have been falling short on a few fronts, none more glaringly so than the struggle of Mitchell Starc to get into the groove. The predicament was harshly highlighted on Sunday when, defending 21 in the final over, the left-arm pacer was clobbered for three sixes by No. 9 no-hoper Karn Sharma as RCB almost pulled off a huge upset. The costliest player in IPL history ended up conceding 55 runs in three overs.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: KL, Samson in race for second wicketkeeper's slot

Starc has gone for 287 runs in seven matches at 11.48 per over, and has only six wickets to show. While KKR have persisted with Starc purely on potential, on hopes that when he does get his act together, he will be a crucial cog in their attack, carrying him is coming at a cost. It's just as well that the team is doing well enough to give him a long rope.

"He's a legend, and shouldn't be judged on a few matches," said Ramandeep Singh, even as he credited Gautam Gambhir for bringing clarity on each player's role. "It's largely because of him that we're doing so well."

Punjab Kings have been severely set back by a shoulder injury to Shikhar Dhawan that will keep him out of Friday's match too. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh did put together 52 for the opening wicket the other day, but the punch that Dhawan was expected to provide in power-play hasn't happened yet. It doesn't help that English opener Jonny Bairstow is woefully short of form. All this has brought pressure on the middle-order, and it's being left to the likes of Lian Livingstone, 32-year-old Shashank Singh and young Ashutosh Sharma to do the catching up.

Tough task for PBKS

Led by South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, Punjab have a potent pace attack and the battle against the home team's dashing openers promises to be an intriguing one but, then, KKR's batting is a lot more than just Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. The 35-year-old Trinidadian all-rounder is also likely to emerge as the biggest challenge for the Punjab batsmen. Trying to prevent their fifth consecutive loss, Punjab Kings have their job cut out.