Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings, 44th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Two teams that played the final of the last season have experienced a rather contrasting journey in IPL 8. With back-to-back wins, the defending champions, KKR, have escalated themselves to No 3 in the points-table, while Kings XI Punjab's campaign this season continues to go from bad to worse. With just two wins in the kitty and at the bottom of the pile, are virtually out of the tournament. Their previous outing was their worst, going down to the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 138 runs. The enormity of that loss was so huge that all Kings XI Punjab are left to play for is pride.

KKR have lost only one out of the six games played at the Eden Gardens and another win here will take them to the second spot. Once again they will be expected to play a spin-heavy attack and how KXIP deal with them on a track conducive for spin will form the crux of the battle.

Bailey spoke about the Punjabi pride and the need to end the season on a high. They have nothing to lose but can seriously dent the fortunes of some of the other teams. Can they do it at Kolkata though? Let's see!

Kings XI Punjab won the toss under sultry conditions in Kolkata and elected to bat. Not bad considering the weather and their result bowling first in the last game. They've brought in South African Beuran Hendricks (in for Mitchell Johnson) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (remember that catch from a couple of seasons ago). The Knight Riders are playing an unchanged side. So 4 spinners once again - Hard work for the the live team. Type away !

KKR: R Uthappa, G Gambhir, M Pandey, S Yadav, Y Pathan, A Russell, J Botha, P Chawla, S Narine, B Hogg, U Yadav
KKR: R Uthappa, G Gambhir, M Pandey, S Yadav, Y Pathan, A Russell, J Botha, P Chawla, S Narine, B Hogg, U Yadav