Calcutta: The last time they met, it was a nail-biter that saw the Kolkata Knight Riders falter by just two runs and the Chennai Super Kings walk away with the match. That thrilling contest was in fact the season opener of the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

But since then, 47 IPL-IV matches have been played and the Knights, a revamped unit, have glued into a force to reckon with, under the able leadership of Gautam Gambhir. Also, having lost three of their four away matches, the Super Kings, the reigning champions, no longer wear the cloak of invincibility.

Both teams meet Saturday — the Super Kings fresh from four consecutive wins and the Knights desperate to get back to winning ways after the shocker against the Kochi Tuskers.

Standing tall at the second position of the points table, there never was a more opportune time for the Knights to win over their nemesis. In the past three seasons, the Calcutta-based side have only once managed a win against Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co.

First of all, after having lost their last match against the Tuskers, the Knights need to win this one so as to get back to winning ways. Secondly, at this point of time, both the teams are at an equal footing with same number of points, the Knights ahead due to a better run-rate. Thirdly, playing under home conditions ought to give the Knights the edge.

Jacques Kallis and Gambhir are the bedrock of the Knights batting. On Thursday, the latter was sent back for a duck on the very first ball, and the Knights’ skipper will have a lot more ‘hunger’ to feed on runs. Kallis, on the other hand, has maintained his consistent form hitting 45 off 41 deliveries.

Eoin Morgan also has finally entered the comfort zone as he top-scored with a 51-ball 66 against the Tuskers. In the event of the failure of the big names, he has ably shouldered the responsibility. Even during their last match at the Eden, against the Kings XI Punjab, Morgan added a crucial 28, smashing six boundaries.

With a fresh strip at the Eden, which promises a run-fest, the likes of Morgan will have ample opportunity to give the crowd a lot to cheer for.

The middle-order, comprising of Yusuf Pathan and Manoj Tiwary, have been in good touch. Mark Boucher has not had much to do within the span of the four-odd balls he got to play in the tournament up till now. The match against the Super Kings will also define his role in the team.

Teams:

Kolkata Knight Riders (likely): Jacques Kallis, Eoin Morgan, Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, Mark Boucher, Brett Lee, Rajat Bhatia, Iqbal Abdulla, Lakshmipathy Balaji/Sarabjit Ladda, Jaydev Unadkat

Chennai Super Kings (likely): Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Albie Morkel, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Subramaniam Badrinath, Srikkanth Anirudha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Suraj Randiv

Umpires: Asad Rauf, Paul Reiffel

Match starts: 4.00pm