KOLKATA: A packed Eden Gardens is ready to welcome again Kolkata Knight Riders once they play their first match right here after three years towards Royal Challengers Bangalore at this iconic venue on Thursday.
However, the keenness is not going to be devoid of issues after the crew went right down to Punjab Kings of their opening match this season.
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KKR tackle star-studded RCB at residence
In distinction, the Faf du Plessis-led RCB have been off the block in model, recording a dominant win towards Mumbai Indians. Although it’s an away match, the RCB is not going to lack inputs in regards to the floor as their Bengal duo Shahbaz Ahmed and Akash Deep have performed sufficient cricket right here. The crew administration can even not hesitate to hunt ideas from former KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik, who can be desperate to return to his former den.
Opening is as soon as once more more likely to determine the result of the match. While KKR proceed to wrestle in getting off to a good begin, RCB’s victory over MI was scripted by their opening duo, the skipper and Virat Kohli.
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The want of an excellent begin has turn into all of the extra vital for KKR as their middle-order appears to be like brittle within the absence of Shreyas Iyer and Shakib Al Hasan. Venkatesh Iyer appeared a pale shadow of what he did for KKR in his opening season whereas rather more is anticipated from skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh.
After all, their key man Andre Russell will want an excellent platform to launch his assault.
However, KKR’s new coach Chandrakant Pandit is protecting religion in his batting unit. “I wouldn’t say that experience is lacking (in the top six). Every individual has created some impact at the domestic and international levels and they are all reputed cricketers. One cannot be judgmental after the first game,” he stated.
Things will in fact be robust towards an excellent tempo unit of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Harshal Patel on a observe which is anticipated have bounce and carry.
There’s an opportunity of England’s left-arm pacer David Willey changing his countrymate Reece Topley, who has suffered a shoulder dislocation.
However, the absence of Rajat Patidar can impact RCB because the Madhya Pradesh batter cemented his place within the facet, scoring 404 runs in 12 IPL matches.
The hosts’ bowling additionally lacked consistency with their trump card Sunil Narine going for 40 runs in his 4 overs within the final match. There’s some good news for KKR as pacer Lockie Ferguson was seen bowling on the nets after recovering from an damage.
However, it stays to be seen whether or not the New Zealand participant is match-fit to exchange Tim Southee, who leaked runs within the final sport.
Roy joins KKR
In a transfer to strengthen their high order, KKR have roped in England’s Jason Roy. With skipper Shreyas Iyer and Shakib Al Hasan out for the season, KKR wanted an skilled batter. Roy has earlier performed for 4 IPL sides particularly KKR, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Coach Pandit welcomed Roy stating that “apart from being a top-order batter, he can be used as an impact player too.” The right-handed batter, nonetheless, is not going to be obtainable for Thursday’s match and can be part of the facet in Ahmedabad for KKR’s subsequent sport towards Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com