Kolkata Knight Riders will clash with Glenn Maxwell’s Kings XI Punjab, who have surprised everyone by winning first two matches of the season quite comfortably, on Thursday. [নিউজটি বাংলায় পড়ুনঃ পাঞ্জাবের বিপক্ষে আজকের ম্যাচেই মাঠে নামবেন সাকিব!]

While Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladeshi super all-rounder was not picked in the playing XI deapite being available for selection, is expected to play for the first time this season.

With the unfortunate of Chris Lynn, who had a recurrence of a troublesome shoulder injury that sidelined him for at least a few more games, is going to be replaced by Shakib.

The change will also make KKR go back to their trusted opening combination of Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. Ankit Rajpoot could also make way for Umesh Yadav.

On the other hand, KXIP are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination after two successive victories, including the resounding one against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

KKR Likely XI: Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Suryakumar Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Chris Woakes, Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, Trent Boult, Umesh Yadav

KXIP Likely XI: Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Varun Aaron

– Jannatul Naym Pieal, Correspondent, bdcrictime.com