When reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders and runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad renew their rivalry at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, it will pit two explosive batting line-ups against each other. But, conversely, it’s the batting that has been letting the two down in these early days of IPL-18.

If the 286/6 that SRH posted against Rajasthan Royals in their season opener had announced the threat their batters pose, much of it has withered in the wake of two below-par shows.