IPL : KKR Taking on the Inaugural Champions today

Match day today, and the Knights are charged up and refreshed after their 4 day gap. They take on the Rajasthan Royals - winners of the first edition of the IPL. Warne’s team hasn’t been doing very well this year so they’ll be looking to bounce back and register their first win. KKR need to be wary of that. Plus they’re playing in their makeshift home ground in Ahmadabad and the crowd will back them, which is always good for a team. Hopefully, the moth problem has been solved, and we will have an exciting game on hand, without these petty issues.

A win for KKR today, takes them right back to the top of the table. KKR also have the net run rate in mind which is going to be crucial later in the tournament. If KKR can win convincingly, then there’s nothing like it. But first things first, they need to focus on playing good cricket. The win will come eventually. The Rajasthan Royals is a team that’s been plagued with injuries - Greame Smith and Dmitri Mascarenhas are both out of the tournament. Warne and Yusuf Pathan are the two danger men in the enemy camp. Both can win matches single handed. But the Royals are not in the best of form, and KKR need to capitalize on that.

In KKR camp, they have Chris Gayle back, so that will definitely give the team more options in how we want to go about in our team selection. His inclusion will improve the batting strength. Batting was one of the weak points during the CSK match they lost. Langeveldt if deemed fit, is another option we will look at, because bowling well in the death overs is always important – again, something KKR were reminded of in their last match.

Luckily, KKR are one of the few teams that have not really been bothered by injury woes a lot. Their home matches in the first phase of the league are over and each game now will be played without the amazing support they get at the Eden Gardens. Many of the teams have been getting good scores the past few days, and if they bat first, that’s what the Knights will look to do as well. A 200+ score will not only ease the pressure on the bowlers, it’ll also help with the net run rate.

Saurav hasn’t been in top form, so he’ll look to score today. The Royals have a good spin attack, but if Dada loves playing spin bowling and if he gets going, Ahmadabad could see a lot of balls disappearing over their heads. Angelo ranks second in the list of top wicket takers in IPL, and it’d be great if he overtakes Chaminda Vaas and wears the purple cap. Not that you’d find a difference though - KKR already wears purple caps.