Sunday's demoralising defeat in Mumbai suddenly seems but a minor hiccup as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) brace for battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens today
Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Narine
Kolkata Knight Riders' Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine during their opening stand against Kings XI Punjab in Kolkata on Thursday. Pic/PTI
Kolkata: Sunday's demoralising defeat in Mumbai suddenly seems but a minor hiccup as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) brace for battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens today. KKR's emphatic win over league leaders Kings XI Punjab and the Sunrisers slip in Mumbai have combined to put the Knights firmly in the favourites chair before today's face-off.
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It was KKR's bowlers who paved the way for victory on Thursday and, on a surface that lends itself nicely to stroke making, it may well boil down to a battle between the two bowling units. SRH, well endowed in this department, looks a tougher test for the Knights than the one posed by the Kings XI. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Mustafizur Rahman and Rashid Khan lend potency to the attack that stem from both skill and guile. But, then, the Knights too flaunt a broad band of variety and value in this department. Umesh Yadav, back after a break, was sharp and accurate on Thursday while the spinners, mystery and all, are still KKR's main weapons.
Both teams are blessed with some amazing power-hitters — David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan — and it will be intriguing to find out how the bowlers cope with them.
Gautam Gambhir and David Warner, openers both, love leading from the front and put great value on the possibilities that the power-play overs present. Having lost, at least temporarily, the services of a marauding Chris Lynn, KKR assigned a new role for Sunil Narine. Now that the element of surprise has lifted from his opening act, SRH attack will be prepared for such a move.
Captains' Wishlist
Gautam Gambhir: Kolkata Knight Riders
- He continues his fine form with the bat
- Umesh and Narine are as effective as ever
- Warner has an off day
David Warner: Sunrisers Hyderabad
- He continues to set an example with his batting
- Yuvraj returns to form
- His bowlers show more consistency