Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host tournament debutants Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first of two Indian Premier League (IPL) games for Sunday.

Gautam Gambhir - Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Play is scheduled to start at 11.30am BST. Live coverage is on ITV 4 and ITV 4 HD. Follow the game live, via text commentary, on ESPN Cricinfo. You can watch the highlights of the match here.

Overview

The champions are in a spot of bother; Gautam Gambhir's men beat Delhi Daredevils in their opening game but have since succumbed to defeats at Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Spinner Sunil Narine has been the sole highlight of an otherwise ineffective bowling attack, with West Indian picking up six of 18 wickets taken by the side so far; he is the franchise's leading wicket taker. Veteran Australian pacer Brett Lee is not the force he was in his playing days and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis' form has not been particularly impressive, leading to the situation in the last match - against RCB - when Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers ran amok, scoring 158 in less than 18 overs.

The batting has been equally problematic, with Kallis, Eoin Morgan and Yusuf Pathan among those who have failed to deliver at the start of this title defence. India senior international Gambhir has produced two decent innings - 41 from 29 balls against the Royals and 59 from 46 against RCB - but he needs support to get the team to big scores.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad are enjoying an excellent first season in the IPL. They are third in the table, tied with RCB and Mumbai Indians but behind on Net Run Rate. However, both Mumbai and Sunrisers have a game in hand over the side from Bangalore.

Dale Steyn - Leading Wicket Taker for Sunrisers Hyderabad
Reuters

Kumar Sangakarra's men have won three of four games so far, including an exciting Super Over eliminator against a star-studded RCB. They've also recorded wins over Pune Warriors and the Dardevils, leaving them a strong platform to progress to the knock-out stages.

Much of their success has come from a very efficient bowling unit, which is lead by Dale Steyn. The fiery South African pacer has had two particularly outstanding spells - 3/11 from 3.5 against the Warriors and 2/11 from four overs against the Daredevils. In addition, he managed to concede only 16 runs from his quota at Bangalore, when Chris Gayle was in a particularly destructive mood.

Unfortunately, as brilliant as their bowling has been, the Sunrisers' batting has been woeful. The fact the opening pair of Parthiv Patel and Akshath Reddy has posted a double-figure partnership in only one game so far tells its own story. The side struggled to win the home game against RCB despite restricting them to 130 (they needed the Super Over) and were similarly poor against the Daredevils and they posted only 114.

Team Form

Kolkata Knight Riders

  • Last Five (most recent first): L L W
  • Last Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets
Jacques Kallis - Kolkata Knight Riders
Reuters

Sunrisers Hyderabad

  • Last Five (most recent first): W L W W
  • Last Match: Delhi Daredevils lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by three wickets

Team News

KKR must find some inspiration from somewhere if they are to defend their title and that inspiration could come in the form of big-hitting New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum. The Kiwi is likely to be called into action very soon, particularly if the side's other foreign batsmen - Kallis and Morgan - continue to flop.

Sunrisers will be boosted by the addition of West Indies captain Darren Sammy. The all-rounder has useful stats in Twenty20 games and will definitely boost the side's batting department. Unfortunately, he is unlikely to arrive in time for this match.

India