Once again the temperature in the field would hit the zenith when Sourav Ganguly led Pune Warriors India would host Kolkata Knight Riders at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune. Match is inconsequential for Pune so it makes a lot difficult for Kolkata as they know their opponents would come at them hard and would play to salvage pride and leave the tournament on a high note.

Going by the points table it would not matter to Pune at all if they lose. But for Kolkata, a negative reult can create some problem considering the fact that others teams are hot on their trail and a lose might affect their chances of going into the play-offs.

Both the teams have some quality players in their armory and lot would depend as to how they perform.

Here are some players to watch out for in today’s match:

Pune Warriors:

Sourav Ganguly: Most probably this is the last time the country would see Sourav Ganguly in action at the IPL. He sure is not in best of his forms and he knows it for sure. He would be raring to go in this match of the IPL V. He is the king of comebacks and would definitely look to sign off from the tournament on a high note and shut his critics. Gambhir surely does know Ganguly’s resiliency and he would be wary of that.

Steven Smith: He has been one of the best finishers in the competition so far. His strike rate is up among the best and his stroke play has been simply wonderful to watch. Smith has surprised one and all with the way he has played in this IPL and he will be looking to continue that form.

Wayne Parnell: He is a genuine swing bowler and bowls at a rapid pace. Parnell has not been bowling to his capabilities. He can be very effective in the death overs and can make life difficult for the batsmen. His batting skills are an added advantage for him as well as his team.

Ashok Dinda: Dinda started off well and then missed a few games because of side strain. But could not improve since then and would be raring to make a statement today. He has bowled some fiery spell for the Warriors and will be hoping to bowl one in today’s match. Dinda has a very aggressive approach when it comes to his bowling and his main role will be to get early wickets.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Gautam Gambhir: Gambhir has been the best KKR batsmen and he is sole responsible for Kolkata winning so many matches. He started the tournament slowly, but now he is in top gear. He has single-handedly won KKR many matches and has been an inspiration for the rest of his teammates.

Debabrata Das: Gambhir has always instilled a lot of faith on him and belives that Das is a player to watch out for. He was not disappointed by him and whatever opportunities Das got, he has made full use of it. With some of his more fancied teammates failing badly, it is up to this young batsman to provide Knight Riders the late flair.

Jacques Kallis: Kallis has been struggling with the bat, but with the ball he has proven to be quite effective. Kallis is a very experienced cricketer and that makes his a good bowler, he assesses the situation and the batsmen quite well and bowls to a plan.

Sunil Narine: The mystery man Sunil Narine has taken everyone in awe by the way he has performed. The current holder of the purple cap with 21 wickets he showed it to the World that how potent a force spin bowling is. He has been completely unplayable in this year’s tournament and one of the main reasons as to why KKR performed so well.

By Indian Sports News Network