Knight Riders made a mark before ending their DLF IPL stint for this year. Ganguly and Gul’s combined firepower managed to stop the winning streak of Kings XI Punjab at Eden Gardens , Kolkata.
An exceptional thrilling game with both sides playing for different objectives. Kings XI Punjab with already their berth secured for the semi-finals played the game with an aim to dislodge Rajasthan Royals from the top slot and also to reinforce the overwhelming confidence. While the Knight Riders played the game to make a statement and regain their professional pride much of which was lost during the tournament with losses and a dismal batting performance.
Ganguly scored a superb knock of 86 out of 53 balls with six boundaries and equal no of over boundaries.While Umar Gul scored 24 out of 11 balls with one four and three sixes to make a record total in this field. Umar Gul also bagged the Man of the Match award for taking 4 wickets for 23 runs.
Earlier Yuvraj won the toss and decided to bat and summed up a total of 174 for 9 - which was good enough given the slow pitch. However Gul restricted the last over with two wickets and kept a check on the total also.
Kolkata seemed to be out of the game with almost 15 runs per over required in the last 5 overs. That was before Ganguly and Gul got together, putting on 49 runs in 18 balls. With 15 required off the last over, Ganguly was equal to the task, wrapping up the match with 2 balls to spare, reminiscent of how Warne did it for his team against the Deccan Chargers. Overall a great match where the game turned with every over during the end.
Delhi need to win this match to keep their semifinal chances alive. Kolkata would like to knock Delhi out of contention as Rajasthan did to them.
Men at the Helm
Ganguly has been a good leader but doesn’t seem to have come to terms with the nuances of this short format. Sehwag on the other has been instinctive, innovative and fairly impressive.
We have the bat
Delhi look a better batting side than Kolkata but a few quick wickets could expose the out of form middle order. Kolkata need one of Ganguly and Hussey to fire if they are to get to a respectable score. They need to make Hafeez sit out and play both Pakistani bowlers if fitness allows. Then they can open with Salman Butt and Debabrata Das or Saurav Ganguly.
We have the ball
Both are extremely efficient bowling units. McGrath has been impeccable through out. Maharoof and Yo Mahesh have been amongst wickets. Delhi need to play atleast one front line spinner in Amit Mishra whatever the conditions are and drop Rajat Bhatia who doesn’t seem to be coming any good with the bat. Kolkata must look at playing both Shoaib and Gul in the team.
Patrolling Party
Delhi are the best fielding unit in the competition. Everybody’s is almost tired now, saying that again again. They seem to stop everything, hold all catches and take all half chances. Kolkata are not that great a fielding site but they will look to give an inspired effort like they did in a couple of matches. Just watch Taibu field, admire his dedication and adore his commitment. Cricketers from smaller countries don’t hog the limelight, as was the case with Andy Flower. Watch closely, Taibu seems to be the best fielder in the world at the moment.
High on betting meter
Delhi are high on betting meter with returns of around 50 percent while a bet on Kolkata gives 125 percent additional to the bet.
Who gets the tick?
Rain Gods have been having a say at Delhi so this match could well be decided by the toss of the coin. Team winning the toss will like to bowl first. Should it be a full match, Delhi must cruise through.
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals at Kolkata
Rajasthan would like to win this match to statistically confirm a place in the semi finals while for Kolkata, it is a do or die match.
Men at the Helm
Both Warne and Ganguly have been inspirational for their sides but Ganguly is still to fully come to terms with the nuances of the youngest baby of the sport. The last match between these two left a sour after taste. It would be interesting to see what they come up with, this time.
We have the bat
Apart from Smith and Ganguly there are no huge stars in any of the teams but certainly there are a few in line to become stars. Watch out for Asnodkar, Watson and Pathan from Royals and Hussey, Butt and Debabrata Das from Knight Riders.
We have the ball
These two sides have bowled the best in the tournament. Kolkata are a much starry bowling line up with Ishant and Shoaib in the ranks. But Rajasthan pacers have bowled with immaculate line and length while Shane Warne has added the flair. Shoaib sustained an injury in the last match and Kolkata would dearly like him to be fit in time for this one.
Patrolling Party
Rajasthan have fielded very well in the tournament. Kolkata on the other hand have been patchy, being brilliant at times and sloppy at others.
High on betting meter
Rajasthan are high on betting meter with returns around 70 percent while Kolkata give returns of over 100 percent.
Who gets the tick?
Knight Riders have been riding on some individual performances. They don’t look a solid unit. Royals are on a roll at the moment andKolkata will have to dish out something spectacular to pull off this one.
This match is the turning point for IPL and here is one performance by both teams where batsman and bowlers equally flourished - earlier we saw a good batting side and opening strikes really made a winning difference - but in this match the score and the total was virtually immaterial. Bowlers can make a big difference in a 20Twenty match - provided they are utilised appropiately and strategically.
Also, hats off to Ganguly for pulling off another stunner and to SRK for providing the needed boost to the team.
As we have mentioned earlier, every match from now on will require strategy and planning apart from skill and power. And once again the two shrewd planners - Shane and Ganguly are proving us correct. Also the fact that Shoiab Akhter is more of a test player than a 20Twenty guy but he was successful with 4 wickets in a row and that too plucking of the best batsmen and rendering the opponents powerless.
Also, Delhi middle order require serious attention and maybe a re-shuffle as this team has all the fire power but fails to deliver against pressure.
Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata
Delhi who got off to a rollicking start in the league have now lost four of their eight matches. Kolkata are too on same points and there’s not much difference in net run rates too.
Men at the Helm
Both the captains have led from the front to win games for their teams. Other thing both have in common is that, both have persuaded on field umpires to refer decisions to the third umpire. Issues apart, both have been doing fairly good jobs and have been aggressive and intensive.
We have the bat
If Delhi have had Sehwag and Gambhir performing, Kolkata have had Ganguly and Hussey performing. Other batsmen haven’t yet come to the party. De Villiers and Karthik for Delhi and Butt and Hafeez for Kolkata have pressure on them to perform well now.
We have the ball
Both the teams are pretty well matched in the bowling department too. If Delhi have Mc Grath and Asif, Kolkata have Ishant and Gul. While Kolkata have Murali Kartik, Delhi may just miss a quality spinner like Vettori.
Patrolling Party
Kolkata have fielded brilliantly in the last two matches. Delhi as its is, is the best fielding unit in the league. Watch out for some boundaries saved, couple of sharp catches and half chances for run out being converted.
High on betting meter
Why Delhi fans are disappointed? Because this team has much more potential. And that is why they are convincingly high on most betting meters. Kolkata give a return of well over hundred percent while Delhi a shade under eighty percent.
Who gets the tick?
Delhi are pretty good team to be at the fifth position in the table, but Kolkata have shown that they have the class. Watch out for Mc Grath v Ganguly, Asif v Butt, Ishant v Sehwag and Gul v Gambhir.
© IPL Cricket Forum
