Punjab aim to get back in top four

Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, Port Elizabeth

The Preview by Shwe Wai

Kings XI Punjab are the only team in the IPL to hold the dubious distinction of having lost to the bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders, and come Sunday, they'll be keen to set the record straight and win back a place in the top four. Though the setback against Royal Challengers Bangalore dented their three-match winning streak, there were some positives with Yuvraj Singh's all-round performance, especially his success as opener, and the proven reliability of their bowlers.

Kolkata's only success is also an indication of their struggling form, for the win over Punjab came in a rain-affected game. Though it is fair to say they were in a dominant position in that encounter before the D-L method came into play, they have since suffered the dual misfortune of failing to hold their nerve in tight situations, and being shut out completely to lose by convincing margins.

The pressure was on Kolkata from the outset. The multiple-captains saga, the popularity of the franchise owner and the expensive signings ahead of the second season made them one of the most closely followed teams in the competition. The pre-tournament hype, however, is gradually turning into an embarrassment.

The impending departure of Chris Gayle, a struggling captain in Brendon McCullum and an inconsistent icon player in Sourav Ganguly have compounded their worries. Morne van Wyk and Brad Hodge have impressed; but with little indication of being capable of mounting a dramatic comeback, another failure will put Kolkata perilously close to being ruled out of a chance at the semi-finals.