The Knights' armoury : The beginning

It’s a New Dawn and they are the new Knights.

This slogan spread like rapid fire along the streets and gullies of Kolkata. More so because the Bengalis are finally looking for a renaissance after some bitter memories of the past. From the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, Shah Rukh Khan’s boys had been tipped as the favorites to win the tournament but fortunes were not in favor of the King’s men. Instead of ruling others, they got ruled themselves. This time too, the Knights’ armory looks pretty impressive with a host of big names leading the pack followed by some talented rising stars. Even there is a change in the head coach.

Can all these bring about a turnaround in their ill-luck?

No doubt that the Knights have enough firepower in their armory but they haven’t been clicking as a unit. Individually, each player is extremely talented and has made their mark in the International arena but as a team, they have failed time and again. Surprisingly, there has been no concrete reason for their failure. Be it their egos or something else, the fact remains that they cannot play as a team. Cricket is a team-game and no matter how brilliant you are, you cannot pull the team through if the other players are not willing to co-operate.

The Kolkata-based franchisee had a good outing in the last season where they reached the play-offs after bouts of failure. This will undoubtedly serve as a morale-booster for them in this season. Appointing someone as renowned as Rudi Webster as mental-skills coach will do a world of good to the cricketers. It seems promising, and if it materializes, then there will be no looking back for the Knight Riders.

At the auctions, the team-owners did a wonderful job by roping in some of the youngsters who can do it big if they get adequate opportunities. The most talked about player is obviously Sunil Narine, the West Indian spinner who has shown his might in the recent past.

Along with a class player and intelligent captain like Gautam Gambhir and a fabulous all-rounder like Jacques Kallis, the likes of Yusuf Pathan, Shakib-al-Hasan, Brett Lee, Brendon McCullum and Ryan ten Doeschate makes the Knights a formidable attack on the sheet.

Coming on to the first game of IPL V. Yes, the Knights lost, but they lost fighting.

Scoring 97 in just 12 overs with the pitch playing tricks, is no tiny achievement, but the fact that they lost 9 wickets in the process is something to ponder over. Also, their bowling hasn’t been as expected with almost every bowler going over seven runs an over. The fielding too, hasn’t been up to the mark.

The Eden match further reduced to 12 overs per side didn’t help matters either. There isn’t much to read into a 12-over match as one good over can turn the whole match on its head. Such was the case in that game where Morne Morkel struck twice in consecutive deliveries. So, the Knights and their supporters shouldn’t be upset as one match has little effect to this long tournament and there is enough opportunities lying ahead to make amends.

However, the Knight might look to make a few changes in the XI that played its first match.

Preferred XI

Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum, Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Shakib-al-Hasan, Rajat Bhatia, Iqbal Abdullah, Jaydev Unadkat, Brett Lee.

This line-up has 3 bowlers, 5 all-rounders and 3 batsmen. Occasionally, Eoin Morgan may be replaced with Shakib as this will add depth to the batting.

Till then KORBO, LORBO, JEETBO RE…..

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