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8th Match: RR vs KKR
Date: 8th April, 2013
Time: 8:00 PM (IST)
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Since 2011, team KKR has regrouped well and seems to be on its best since then. After thrashing Delhi Daredevils in its last game, KKR looks upbeat and confident to take up its first away assignment this IPL against Rajasthan Royals. On paper, KKR looks as strong and as weak as any other side in the IPL, but what sets them apart is execution of the game plan with Gautam Gambhir at the helm. Largely depending upon the skill of veteran Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine and Gautam Gambhir, the team cannot afford to be complacent for the Mansingh Stadium is Rajasthan Royals’ fortress, the ground where KKR was comfortably undone in their last outing.
Positives
Gambhir looks in a fine touch. His smooth and clean hitting that we saw in the match against DD is proof enough of his being in form and the possible destruction he can cause as an opener. The backbone of the side, Kallis, with his international career of eighteen years, brings experience to the side. The finest all-rounder of the modern era, Kallis will have more weight on his shoulders this time in the absence of Shakib-al-Hassan. With many an impactful performance in the IPL over the years, he is the one who is expected to provide solidity and force to the batting. Manoj Tiwary is another reliable KKR batsman. He can, with his aggressive stroke play, quite easily establish his team’s command over the game. This lad from Bengal has just finished a good domestic season, something that would come in handy in the IPL 6. Though, during his recent outing, he looked uncomfortable facing spin, his overall batting average and strike rate of 31.00 and 112.98 respectively, promises an improved show against RR. Brendon McCullum’s absence brings Eoin Morgan into the picture. This might prove to be a blessing in disguise for KKR as McCullum has not performed to his ability since his 158 not out in the first IPL season. Joining IPL after a gap of one year, his international T20 career has a positive tale to tell. With a strike rate of 132.6, his innovative batting can bring a lot to the table as far as middle order is concerned.
Wily Narine was instrumental in making KKR win IPL5, and his deliveries still remain inscrutable, generally speaking. Last year, he went wicketless on this pitch. It would be interesting to see how Royals will bat this time against him. L. Balaji will dominate the team’s pace battery. His well disguised slower ones make him a difficult bowler, particularly in the subcontinent. His economy rate in the last match and in the IPL 5, 5.00 and 5.46 respectively, prove the point. He not only keeps the scoring rate of the opposition in check, he is a wicket taking bowler as well.
Negatives
What KKR needs to ensure is a collective effort from its playing XI if they want to keep their prospects for the berth in the top four this season. With Shakib Al Hasan and James Pattinson not available, the team’s bowling is less formidable. More than Kallis, it had been Shaikb Al Hasan’s all-round skill that had a huge bearing on KKR’s change in the fortunes. It will be a challenge for Gambhir to fight successfully with a side that is not as good as it was in the IPL5. Brett Lee is the spearhead of the KKR bowling. But even his two wickets of Unmukt Chand and Jayawardene in the match against DD do not inspire confidence. The way he has been leaking runs is a matter of concern and to add to this his dismal Big Bash outing, with just four scalps in eight matches, he looks an ordinary bowler. His aura still exists but the sheen is fading. The man who rose to fame with his swashbuckling batting in the very first season of IPL, Yusuf Pathan, needs to reignite that lost touch, and rejuvenate his bowling. But the wait seems endless as the all-rounder has failed to impress for a long time. It is crucial for the team that he gets his form back.
Aces that might win it for KKR
Gautum Gambhir – The defending champion’s aggressive skipper looks hungry for more. His 42 off 29 balls in the opener promises a repetition of his stupendous form in the last IPL, where he scored 590 runs at a thumping strike rate of 143.55. Not only that, the KKR skipper is as astute as a captain can get, where rotating of bowlers and strategy planning and implementation is concerned.
Sunil Narine - His signature Tintin quiff and bamboozling spinning art makes Narine attract a lot of attention. Touted as Gambhir’s ace player, he will be the one to watch out for. Grabbing four wickets at an economy of 3.25 against Jayawardene’s outfit, he is a batsmen’s nightmare. It would hardly be surprising if he performs again, his wicket-less outing here the last time notwithstanding.
The Pitch
Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a low and slow track. If KKR wins the toss, Gautam Gambhir should opt for batting first and score at least 150, a score that will be a competitive one. Also, bowling second has an advantage as the track starts assisting spinners later, as the game progresses.
Head to head
KKR has played ten matches against RR in the IPL. The equation stands in balance with both the teams winning five matches apiece.
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