Kolkata Knight Riders Prepare for Key Match Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Upcoming Clash at Eden Gardens

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 2: As the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) gear up for their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens, the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Snehasish Ganguly, confirmed that all preparations are in place. This match is particularly significant as KKR will also face the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 8, a game that was postponed from April 6 due to security concerns related to the Ram Navami celebrations.

Teams Looking to Regain Momentum

Both KKR and SRH, who were standout teams in the previous season, have struggled this year, each securing only one victory in their first three matches. Their powerful batting lineups have not yet met expectations, making this upcoming match crucial for both teams to regain their footing.

Rescheduling of the LSG Match

The IPL's official announcement clarified that the match between KKR and LSG was rescheduled to April 8 due to a request from Kolkata Police for enhanced security during the Ram Navami festivities. The match will now take place at 3:30 PM, while the originally scheduled match on April 6 will feature SRH against the Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM.

CAB's Readiness for the Matches

Snehasish expressed confidence about the upcoming LSG match, stating, "Everything is ready, we are prepared, and the stadium conditions are optimal." He also noted that the April 6 date will now only host one match, while April 8 will feature a double-header, including KKR vs. LSG and Punjab Kings vs. Chennai Super Kings later that evening.

Security Measures and Ticketing

Regarding the postponement, Snehasish explained that the police had indicated they could not ensure adequate security on April 6 due to the festivities. He emphasized the need for over 2,000 police personnel to manage the expected crowd of around 70,000 at Eden Gardens. Additionally, he mentioned that tickets for the April 8 match had not been printed until the rescheduling was confirmed, and there would be a pricing strategy based on the significance of the match.

Expectations for KKR

With around 50,000 fans anticipated for the KKR-SRH match, Snehasish remained optimistic about KKR's performance despite a rocky start. He stated, "KKR is a well-balanced team with a history of success. One poor match does not define their season, and there are plenty of games left to play."

Enhanced Security Protocols

In light of recent incidents, including a fan breaching security to meet Virat Kohli during the tournament opener, Snehasish assured that security measures have been strengthened, with increased heights for guardrails and heightened police vigilance.