IPL 2017: 5 reasons why KKR can beat SRH in the eliminator

Kolkata Knight Riders take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator in Bengaluru on the 17^th of May. Kolkata, the two-time champions, boast of a largely settled outfit and have had a fantastic tournament before some late hiccups pushed them down to number three in the league stage.

Hyderabad came into the tournament as the defending champions and unleashed a new weapon in the form of Rashid Khan to dominate the first few games. But a soft middle-order meant that they could not be bullish in every game. They, in fact, sealed their play-off spot on the last day and will be greeted by a strong Kolkata outfit.

Here, we take a look at five reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders can beat Sunrisers in the eliminator in Bengaluru.

#5 A dynamic top order

With the return of Chris Lynn from injury, Kolkata have a scary top order that includes the pinch hitter, Sunil Narine, who has been an exceptional force at the top of the order with the willow, equalling the fastest half-century in the IPL this season.

Lynn and Narine have shown no mercy in the powerplay overs and would look to continue their successful partnership at the top. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa follow the opening duo. The Indian pair is among the most successful opening combinations in the IPL and should provide sufficient cushion if Lynn and Narine fail.

The top four are as strong as they come and this makes Kolkata a scary outfit to bowl to. They have promoted Narine knowing that he is a hit or miss and that they have sufficient power down the order of he fails. The confidence invested in two batsmen of similar nature at the top makes them a particularly strong unit.

#4 A middle-order capable of playing the patience or aggression game

Uthappa and Gambhir make the KKR middle order pretty strong

In Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Colin de Grandhomme and Yusuf Pathan, Kolkata have one of the best middle-order amongst the franchises. Uthappa is marauding against the quicker bowlers while Gambhir is equally adept with spin or pace.

Manish Pandey started the tournament on a high but has since had very few chances owing to Lynn's return. Yusuf Pathan, on the other hand, can take the game away in a matter of few overs and is a really good T20 player to bank on in the death overs.

While Sunrisers boast of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who can tighten the screws in the middle overs, Kolkata have Gambhir and Pandey, two exceptional players of spin to counter that threat. Yusuf and de Grandhomme can also take the attack to the spinners.

#3 A penetrative pace attack

Umesh Yadav has bowled with fire and passion and has an edge over Warner

Sunrisers have thrived on Warner and Dhawan's dynamic starts but they would do well to remember that Kolkata possess a capable pace attack. With Umesh Yadav and Chris Woakes settling into a nice combination, Kolkata have been making inroads early.

Ankit Rajpoot has filled in well for Nathan Coulter-Nile and Colin de Grandhomme has been effective with his broad shoulders. Umesh Yadav's current form is the biggest plus for Kolkata and his recent success against Warner means that Hyderabad will be wary of him.

Woakes might have left for England but Trent Boult walked in and bowled well in the final game of the league stage and should retain his place if Nathan Coulter-Nile remains in the sidelines. Boult has also had success against Warner which gives him a head start.

#2 Strong spin attack

Kuldeep Yadav should assist Sunil Narine in the spin department

Sunrisers' biggest batsmen are all left handed - David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh. Kolkata's biggest weapon in the spin department, Sunil Narine, turns the ball away from them and has a handful of other variations which makes him a huge threat.

They also possess Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla but only one of them is likely to play. Kuldeep has the edge given that the chinaman also turns the ball away from left-handers and was extremely successful against Australia in the recent Test series.

Given that none of Yuvraj, Henriques and Naman Ojha is very comfortable against mystery spinners like Narine and Kuldeep makes the Sunrisers' soft belly appear even weaker. Kolkata will be banking on their spinners to do the job in the middle overs.

#1 Gautam Gambhir's tactical acumen

Gambhir has been leading by example and his experience is valuable to KKR

Ever since joining the Kolkata unit in 2011, Gambhir has led the team with flair and flamboyance. His backing of youngsters Manish Pandey and Kuldeep Yadav has paid rich dividends while the promotion of Sunil Narine this year was a master stroke although he did do it previously in the Big Bash and CPL.

Amongst all the four franchises in the play-offs this year, Gambhir has led a team for the most time-period. His tactical nous is well appreciated and that has lifted the franchise to two IPL titles. The former Indian opener has also been sharp with his field settings and bowling changes.

Gambhir also triggered the move to push Lynn to open the innings and the move has given Kolkata two dynamic openers aside from freeing up Gambhir and Uthappa for the middle overs. While Warner is a shrewd captain too, Gambhir certainly has an edge over him in terms of knowing the pulse of his team.