KOLKATA: A packed Eden Gardens is set to welcome back Kolkata Knight Riders when they play their first match here after three years against Royal Challengers Bangalore at this iconic venue on Thursday.
However, the enthusiasm will not be devoid of concerns after the team went down to Punjab Kings in their opening match this season.
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KKR take on star-studded RCB at home
In contrast, the Faf du Plessis-led RCB were off the block in style, recording a dominant win against Mumbai Indians. Although it is an away match, the RCB will not lack inputs about the ground as their Bengal duo Shahbaz Ahmed and Akash Deep have played enough cricket here. The team management will also not hesitate to seek tips from former KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik, who would be eager to return to his former den.
Opening is once again likely to decide the outcome of the match. While KKR continue to struggle in getting off to a decent start, RCB’s victory over MI was scripted by their opening duo, the skipper and Virat Kohli.
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The need of a good start has become all the more important for KKR as their middle-order looks brittle in the absence of Shreyas Iyer and Shakib Al Hasan. Venkatesh Iyer looked a pale shadow of what he did for KKR in his opening season while much more is expected from skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh.
After all, their key man Andre Russell will need a good platform to launch his assault.
However, KKR’s new coach Chandrakant Pandit is keeping faith 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 said.
Things will of course be tough against a good pace unit of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Harshal Patel on a track which is expected have bounce and carry.
There’s a chance of England’s left-arm pacer David Willey replacing his countrymate Reece Topley, who has suffered a shoulder dislocation.
However, the absence of Rajat Patidar can effect RCB as the Madhya Pradesh batter cemented his place in the side, scoring 404 runs in 12 IPL matches.
The hosts’ bowling also lacked consistency with their trump card Sunil Narine going for 40 runs in his four overs in the last match. There’s some good news for KKR as pacer Lockie Ferguson was seen bowling at the nets after recovering from an injury.
However, it remains to be seen whether the New Zealand player is match-fit to replace Tim Southee, who leaked runs in the last game.
Roy joins KKR
In a move to strengthen their top order, KKR have roped in England’s Jason Roy. With skipper Shreyas Iyer and Shakib Al Hasan out for the season, KKR needed an experienced batter. Roy has earlier played for four IPL sides namely 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, however, will not be available for Thursday’s match and will join the side in Ahmedabad for KKR’s next game against Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
