IPL 6: Match 33 - KKR vs MI - Kolkata Knight Riders Preview

Teams – KKR vs MI

Venue – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Time – 8 pm IST

The defending champions of the IPL have an uphill task ahead having won just 2 of their 6 games till now this year. It’s not only the number of losses but the manner of these losses, which will be troubling the KKR management. They still have a good chance to fight back and if that is to happen, the team has to perform as one.

The batting seems fragile. The captain, Gautam Gambhir, has been the lone torchbearer for the line-up. Even the good work done by him at the top of the order comes to a naught because of a misfiring middle-order. Kallis and Morgan have to pull up their socks and realise that the batting centres around them and their captain. Barring one innings each, they haven’t made a mark, and KKR would need a better performance than that from the experienced duo.

Yusuf Pathan might find himself opening with Gautam Gambhir again. Although he made just 25 in his first outing in the new role, he looked to play with far more freedom and that is when he is at his best. The rest of the batting, including the likes of Manoj Tiwary, have been extremely disappointing, failing to either build or even end an innings successfully. Changes might be in order here.

The bowling has been better. The mystery duo of Senanayake and Narine are perhaps the most lethal in the competition; they’ve been picking up wickets and being miserly too. The other bowlers like Balaji, Kallis and Bhatia bowl well within their limitations and let the slow Eden Gardens track do the rest – something which they wouldn’t change much even today. They will be able to ask a lot of questions to the MI batsmen who are stroke-makers and love the ball coming on to the bat.

Players to watch out for:

Gambhir – The captain has been waging a lone battle till now. A lot will depend on him again as he will be expected to provide a good start and lend solidity in the middle overs.

Narine – He will play a crucial role today. Bowling against the likes of Tendulkar, Ponting, Sharma and Karthik will be a good test for him. However, on a helpful surface, he will be expected to keep them under check.

Kallis – He is the world’s best all-rounder. Somehow, things haven’t clicked for him thus far. He will be looking to turn his fortunes as well as his team’s around with his solid batting and reliable bowling.

X-Factor:

Yusuf Pathan - Till yesterday, he held the record for the fastest century in IPL and it was against the opposition he’ll face today. Even if he can play half as good as he did in that innings, the KKR batting will receive a much-needed boost.

Prediction:

KKR might struggle against a good MI batting side. With an out of form KKR batting line-up, MI is expected to win this match.