Kolkata on the brink of qualification

After a crushing win over Delhi Daredevils, debutants Kochi Tuskers Kerala will take on the resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders at the Nehru Stadium on Thursday. In their first leg clash Gautam Gambhir was outthought and outplayed by Mahela Jayawardene's smart ploys at the Eden Gardens.

Kochi are high on a crushing win over Delhi Daredevils when they chased down 141 in just 15 overs. Jayawardene will be hoping his batsmen continue in the same fashion against the Knight Riders to mend their unimpressive home record of one win out of four.

After three disappointing seasons, the Knight Riders seem to be clicking as a unit now. They have racked up three wins on the bounce since their loss at home to Royal Challengers Bangalore. At the top of the table, a couple of more wins will now seal their spot in the last four.

MINI-BATTLES

Brendon McCullum vs Brett Lee: The New Zealand hurricane is in great touch and would relish the challenge from Brett Lee. Kochi want McCullum to play a long innings. The Australian pacer will have to bring all his experience into play and strike early to put the home team under pressure.

Jacques Kallis vs Sreesanth: The South African all-rounder has been Kolkata's leading light up the order. He has been good in the IPL so far and it may come down to local lad Sreesanth to take a few liberties against him. The temperamental pacer however will have work hard as Kallis always puts a price on his wicket.

STRENGTHS

Knight Riders are suddenly the team to beat in IPL-4. With depth in their batting line-up, Kolkata appear convinced of chasing or protecting any total. The home team too has names in McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene capable of putting pressure on its rivals with their aggressive mindset.

WEAKNESSES

Kochi's batting hasn't always fired. Fielding still remains a serious problem for both the teams.

QUOTE-HANGER

"To continue and win as many games as possible and there is still more cricket to be played in the competition as you know, and slipping up is really not on the agenda like every other team but yes we also lost some games however but now back winning, we have got to continue that," said KKR coach Dav Whatmore.

"I have not found difficult to handle Sreesanth. He has been bowling well in the last two matches and creating opportunities. Sometimes you should let him be his aggressive self and at times you need to talk to him," said Kochi Tuskers captain Mahela Jayawardene.

PITCH

Seamers will have good day at Nehru Stadium. Expect lots of runs too; however batsmen will have to spend some time in the middle before going for the big ones.