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The Kolkata Knight Riders have had a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes in just one year. From being the champions, they are now languishing at the bottom and it would take a miracle to see them in the qualifiers. With their performances so far, they look anything but the defending champions.
Considering the fact that today’s fixture is their last league match in front of their home crowd, they would be eager to collect those two points before setting sail to away grounds.
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The Knight Riders were among the favourites to win this year’s trophy. But the fact that the big names have not been contributing has led to a rather dismal show thus far. With 7 losses in 10 matches, the only way they can hope to sneak through is by winning each and every match, and then hope that arithmetic and the law of averages save them.
At a time when other laggards like the Daredevils have started to click as a unit, the Knight Riders seem to be coming apart. Save Gambhir, none of their batsmen have been consistent, except for the occasional blitzkriegs from Morgan, which has seen them managing below par scores. It is their batting really that has been the thorn in their side. Pathan and Kallis haven’t had a great tournament so far. Bisla has started to show glimpses of his belligerence, but he is way too inconsistent and rash in his shot-selection.
It is not that they have been completely outplayed. Out of the seven losses, four or five could have gone either way. And they still look a strong side on paper. It is just about winning those crucial moments on the field that they haven’t managed to accomplish. Sadly for them, a victory in T20 cricket is often about who prevails in such crunch moments.
Conditions:
Eden Gardens has traditionally been a slow turner, and getting ball on bat is a difficult thing in the later part of a match. Win the toss and choose to bat might be the mantra for today’s fixture. And with summer at its peak, conditions are expected to be humid, that might result in a fair amount of dew.
Head to Head:
Historically, there is nothing much to choose between KKR and RR. Out of the 11 matches played, RR have won 5, KKR have won 5 and 1 match ended in a tie. KKR’s batting looks fragile, while on the other hand, the Royals have been enjoying a great run thus far, much like the inaugural edition.
Last time these two sides clashed, the Knight Riders’ batsmen fell like a pack of cards while chasing a modest total and Morgan did everything that was humanly possible to see them home. But it was a tough ask really and they fell 19 runs short of the target. They would be hoping that they manage to back up their bowlers with some better stroke-play.
Key Players:
He is still their best bet when it comes to batting. The Knight Riders have been unable to capitalise on the kinds of starts that he has been providing them throughout the season. The middle order needs to back up their captain’s efforts to put up something substantial that the bowlers can play with, something that hasn’t happened yet this year.
Eoin Morgan
He has played a few blinders this season and the responsibility to finish the KKR innings on a high lies on this man’s shoulders. He has to be a bit more selective in his shot-making though.
Sunil Narine
He has scalped 15 wickets in 10 matches, including a hat-trick. But his efforts have largely been undermined by their below par batting efforts. The batsmen have to rise to the occasion and put up something substantial.
KKR’s Strategy:
Bat first, put up a total that is commensurate with the talent they possess and then unleash Narine and Bhatia, who has been a wily customer too. Bowling has not been their problem; they have been exceptional in trying to defend low scores this year. Gambhir himself has acknowledged it. Maybe drop the big man Kallis and give Ryan ten Doeschate a game. They have to be wary of Watson, who is in red hot form, and it wouldn’t hurt to give Chandila the respect he deserves.
Possible XI:
The captain was not too sure about Sumit Narwal in the last game and he ended up being underutilised. Maybe Shukla might get a look-in again. Ryan ten Doeschate needs to get a game but whether or not Kallis will be replaced is a tough call for Gambhir to make.
Gautam Gambhir (C), Manvinder Bisla (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kallis, Eoin Morgan, DB Das, Rajat Bhatia, Sumit Narwal, Lee, Narine, Balaji.
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