GT (10 points from seven matches) have been a well-oiled unit and looks set for a successive play-off berth, sitting behind leaders Rajasthan Royals on net run-rate with a match in hand.
On paper, though, PBKS looks a tad more stronger than KKR.
LA Knight Riders and MI New York have roped in top international stars for the debut season of the Major League Cricket.
Experienced pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult's absence leaves a "massive hole" in the New Zealand squad, but also provides a chance to fringe players to step up during the India tour, says stand-in-captain Tom Latham.
A 'Go To' man in Kolkata Knight Riders for more than a decade, Sunil Narine will have to play out of his skin to justify his place in the playing eleven when his team takes on Punjab Kings in a must-win Indian Premier League game in Kolkata on Monday.
The most interesting aspect of the contest is the form of batters from both sides which has been the reason of their success so far.
"He has indicated he's available for the World Cup," Stead told reporters.
New Zealand have a team capable of winning the T20 World Cup.
Thakur, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10.75 crore, had taken 15 wickets in 14 games, including career-best figures of 4/36, in the 2022 edition but leaked close to 10 runs per over.
New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner feels assessing the conditions in Dharamsala and countering an in-form Rohit Sharma will be vital as they eye the "tough" task of beating India at home during their World cup clash on Sunday.
India will be expecting more runs from the middle order and discipline in the death overs as they look for a series sealing win against New Zealand in the second ODI in Raipur on Saturday.
Just when Rajasthan were looking like they were building a partnership, Lockie Ferguson came into the attack and his double blow changed the course of the match.
Kane Williamson, spinners set up NZ's 35-run win over Ireland
Chapman (57-ball 104 not out) combined with Jimmy Neesham (45) to overhaul the 194-run target and stun Pakistan
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of World Cup 2023 after the first 12 games.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index after 23 World Cup 2023 games.
How often have fielding errors turned matches around more often than performances with bat or ball and that is exactly what happened at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.
There is still enough pull to play for New Zealand: Ferguson on players giving up contracts
It will be a battle between Liam Livingstone and Lockie Ferguson.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index after 29 World Cup 2023 games.
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand, in Dharamsala, on Saturday.
Gujarat Titans picked up players like Jason Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, and David Miller
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who were rested for the series, slipped one place each to 8th and 9th respectively.
This is India's fourth ODI World Cup final.
Four New Zealand players, including Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, were given go-ahead by New Zealand Cricket to join their respective Indian Premier League teams without taking part in the home white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
Images from the second One-Day International between India and New Zealand, at Raipur.
The batting as a whole has not clicked for Sunrisers and it is no surprise they find themselves in a desperate situation in the second half of the tournament.
SRH rode on Kane Williamson's sublime 57 which included 4 sixes and 2 fours.
Netherlands' Teja Nidamanuru, Aryan Dutt and Vikram Singh might have a few drops of tears in their eyes when they step onto the field for their opening World Cup match against Pakistan on Friday.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index after 37 World Cup 2023 games.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team comes into the match with two wins on the bounce and, like always, will be tough to beat at their 'den'.
Will India retain the same playing XI?
Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya rued that technology did not come to their rescue when Matthew Wade was adjudged LBW in a controversial call but said overall on most occasions it has helped in taking right decision.
Siraj, Shubman nominated for ICC Player of the Month Award
KKR bowling Bharat Arun said they have to improve their batting and bowling in the first six overs of Powerplay.
New Zealand pacer Doug Bracewell has been called in as a replacement for the injured Matt Henry in the ODI squads for India and Pakistan.
Images from the third and final T20 International between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
A desperate Indian team will pray for a rain-free third and final ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in its bid to finish on an even keel in a series that neither had context nor any major takeaways.
Martin Guptill will play in his seventh T20 World Cup and Devon Conway will keep wickets in addition to his batting duties at the tournament
Exactly 11 months are left for the marquee event in India and the series starting on Friday will give the team an initial idea about some of the middle-order slots
