IPL 6: Match 20 - KXIP vs KKR - Kolkata Knight Riders Preview

DATE: 16th April, 2013

TIME: 4:00 PM (IST)

VENUE: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh

The defending champions have been impressive in patches so far in the season. With a win-loss ratio of 2:2, Kolkata Knight Riders will have to be at their best in the upcoming games to rid themselves of the ‘yo-yo effect’, for inconsistency will not take them to the qualifiers. Their next challenge is a relatively lighter one as Gambhir’s knights will take on Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, who have not been doing well. On the other hand, KKR’s batting order looks pretty much stable and settled now, their bowling unit also being superior to their opponents’. This should be enough to nullify the home advantage of the latter.

The opening pair of Gambhir and Bisla is looking good finally. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the duo gave a flying start. More such partnerships are needed at the top to provide others who follow, a platform to build upon. Other efficient batsmen of KKR include Jacques Kallis, Manoj Tiwary, Eoin Morgan and Yusuf Pathan. Morgan has played attacking cricket and has almost always provided KKR a final push in the death overs, being equally capable of giving the team a cushion in the middle too. The team looks good to chase modest totals but for going past 150, they seem to lack the fire power in form of an all-rounder, something that Yusuf Pathan is capable of but has not lived up to, and has been out of touch for long.

Given the pitch conditions at Mohali, it is likely that Bret Lee would make a comeback to the side and Gambhir, in all probability, would go with one specialist spinner. Lee would be joined by Lakshmipathy Balaji and Rajat Bhatia. The latter’s largely overlooked contribution has had huge bearing on the matches he has played; when he takes off the pace from the ball, it becomes difficult to play him. Meanwhile, Kallis is so accurate and controlled in his bowling that batsmen succumb to the pressure and frustration, an example of it we saw in the last match of KKR against Sunrisers. Gambhir has with him the best spin weapon in Sunil Narine. This mystical bowler still remains hard to pick; it is generally difficult to decipher which way the ball is going to turn or not turn at all. And that is why he rarely gives a chance to batsmen to take the attack to him.

KKR have the required fire power to win, given they play to their potential and find a solution to their below par away performances, something that the team has failed to do in IPL 6. They would be better off if they conjure a combination which can keep the opposition below 150. It is an away game and Gambhir would be backing his team not lose this one, because the opposition is not that strong and KKR has won against them in both the away and home games last year. Moreover, this game may be the tide turner for KKR in the away games.

Aces who might win it for KKR:

Manvinder Bisla - He was the prominent face on the night when KKR won its maiden title last IPL. Not just his 89 on that night made a difference, but his average of 30.42 in IPL 5 is enough to justify his presence in the team. In the last game, he played a perfect partner to Gautam Gambhir and his innings of 28 runs seems to be just the beginning of a flourishing partnership with his skipper.

Eoin Morgan - It took him just four games to impress his skipper. “A class apart” as Gambhir calls him, his impressive batting has earned him a promotion in the batting order. Already carrying a bag of 114 runs at a strike rate of 144.30 in four matches, this lad is another string to KKR’s bow.

Sunil Narine - He is again in contention for the Purple cap. Like last year, in IPL 6 too he has been parsimonious in giving away runs and has been taking wickets. An asset for the team, he has been the leader of KKR’s spin department.