The third match of the Indian Premier League will take place at the Eden Gardens – a stadium known for its ability to create a pandemonium in the stands. At the Eden Gardens, it doesn’t feel like the crowd is a separate entity from the players – it is like the two are intertwined with each other to constitute the psyche of the environment.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata are going to set foot on the field without their two-time IPL-winning captain Gautam Gambhir as they have built a team for the future with some of the brightest Indian youngsters like Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Rinku Singh, Shivam Mavi and Shubman Gill.

They also have Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine to do the damage from up top with Andre Russell waiting in the middle order. One of Tom Curran and Mitchell Johnson could take the fourth foreign players’ place with both of them being great bowlers in this format.

Predicted XI: Chris Lynn, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik (c), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tom Curran, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Bangalore are like the South Africa of IPL – they always choke when it matters the most. Last season was one to forget for them as they ended at the bottom of the table. This season will be a shot at redemption and they certainly have a squad to do so.

Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers are automatic picks while Colin De Grandhomme provides a good all-round option. Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal had a great outing in the Nidahas trophy and will be a key element of the squad.

Predicted XI: Parthiv Patel, Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz, Khan, Colin De Grandhomme, Chris Woakes, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Aniket Chaudary

Prediction: Bangalore to win against an inexperienced and injury-prone Kolkata side that may need time to gel in.