Pune can rise to the challenge of Kolkata

Pune v Kolkata
Sky Sports 3, 3.30pm Wednesday

Rising Pune Supergiant look a value bet at 11-10 to win what could be a classic IPL contest with Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Knight Riders arrive at the Maharashtra CA Stadium hoping to overtake Mumbai Indians at the top of the table on net run rate by making it five wins in six.

However, contests against form teams seem to inspire Steve Smith’s hosts, who are bidding to make it four wins on the spin.

On Monday, England all-rounder Ben Stokes starred as Pune brilliantly defended 160 in Mumbai. And on Saturday in front of their own fans, Pune calmly chased down the 176 of Sunrisers Hyderabad under the guidance of MS Dhoni. Pune began the campaign with a seven-wicket home success over the Indians.

Delhi’s 97-run win at the Maharashtra two weeks ago suggests that away sides and chasing teams do have a chance.

But only two of the Knight Riders’ seven games have been against top-four outfits and they lost by four wickets in Mumbai, when failing to defend 178.

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