Eden Gardens showdown: KKR and SRH hunt redemption after high-scoring defeats

KKR all-rounder Cameron Green. Pic/IPL

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad brace for battle at the Eden Gardens after defeats in their IPL-19 openers last weekend. Both posted 200-plus totals, only to find them inadequate, Royal Challengers Bengaluru blasting their way past SRH's 201 in Bengaluru, while Mumbai Indians overwhelmed 221 at Wankhede vs KKR.

While conditions at both venues were grossly ‘batting friendly', there was no missing the fact that the bowling units of both SRH and KKR lost the plot. Under pressure, the bowling lost shape and shoddy fielding made things worse. SRH had to recover after their top-order misfired, while the Knights squandered momentum after openers Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen had provided a rollicking start.

The areas that need addressing became obvious, and Thursday should reveal results of rectifications. Rather expectedly, the Eden track too has a bias for batsmen, but will, as always, also lend itself to subtle skills. Both teams have key pacers missing due to injuries and other factors, and it will be up to Vaibhav Arora to pick up the reins for KKR even as Blessing Muzarabani and Kartik Tiyagi find their feet in the big league.

Aussie Cameron Green, carrying a lower-back injury, continues to not get the clearance to bowl. His restriction on bowling as instructed by Cricket Australia, was highlighted by KKR skipper Rahane after their last defeat.

So, why pick him (for a record Rs 25.20 crore) when you knew he wouldn't be able to bowl, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar was asked on Wednesday. "The idea of picking a player in an auction is not always short-sighted. For us, Cameron Green the cricketer and all-rounder was really important. As a franchise, we invest in the player, and what he can bring to the table at his best, and we know what Green can do. We felt he could [ultimately] take that Russell legacy forward," he replied, before adding: "It's just unfortunate that he hasn't been able to bowl so far."

Meanwhile, bowling surely is SRH's weakest link, and they sorely miss another Aussie, Pat Cummins.

8-3
KKR's win-loss record against SRH at the Eden Gardens

Five
No. of games KKR have won against SRH in their last six encounters

10
No. of wickets picked by Cameron Green in 13 IPL matches for RCB in the 2024 edition