IPL 2014: Four reasons why KKR may prevail over KXIP in the Qualifier

The inflated glamour of the Indian Premier League is infamous for eclipsing the cricketing aspect of the event, and the tournament is frequently rebuked for its financial extravaganza. Yet there are days – albeit too few and far between – when critics and aficionados are left marveling cricket and the essence of the bat-and-ball rivalry.The 67,000 odd cricket enthusiasts who assembled at the Eden Gardens on Saturday appeared nervous after the home team ended up conceding 30 runs off the last two overs propelling Sunrisers Hyderabad to a competitive target of 161 runs. What ensued thereafter was hardly anything that even the staunchest optimists had anticipated.The intimidating task of completing the victory within 15.2 overs in order to seal a No. 2 spot seemed achievable once Yusuf Pathan initiated his blitzkrieg. The Kolkata Knight Riders built on the strong foundation laid down by their openers and swept off the few minor hiccups in the middle overs en route to a magnificent victory in 14.2 overs.While it is true that the shortest format of the game dwells on fortune and uncertainties, and Kings XI Punjab are no meager challengers in the play-offs, let me enlist here four reasons why the Knights must be considered a force to reckon with in the qualifiers.

#1 The resurgence of Yusuf Pathan

After 65 innings without a half-century, Yusuf Pathan finally turned out to be the embodiment of belligerence with his lusty blows and merciless batsmanship. His 77 off 22 balls that was studded with seven sixes and five boundaries was nothing short of absolute carnage.

The mercurial maverick from Baroda,who had hitherto belied the trust imposed on him by the franchise, finally decided to seek redemption from ineffectual ordinariness. Defying the prevalent notion of his having fizzed out, Pathan reignited the inferno he has always been known for.

He set off on an uneasy note, courtesy some lackluster fielding by the Sunrisers Hyderabad fielders who gifted him generously with two lives. Relying on uninhibited muscle-power and natural brutality, Pathan atoned for dropping a dolly early on in the match as he sent Parvez Rasool to the cleaners before stealing two sixes, three boundaries and a couple off a Dale Steyn over.

Such clean hitting reminded fans of the Yusuf Pathan of yore who had exercised a pivotal role in Rajasthan Royals triumph in the inaugural IPL season. Although Pathan had exhibited some kind of form in the last few matches, the habitual sour ending of each of his innings,where he would casually throw away his wicket without so much of a qualm,prevented viewers from reckoning him with seriousness.

Kings XI Punjab had suffered the ignominy of being thrashed by nine wickets in their last encounter with KKR. A barely decent bowling line-up consisting of Sandeep Sharma, Rishi Dhawan, Parvinder Awana, Akshar Patel and a misfiring Mitchell Johnson may turn out to be a worry against the caliber of Yusuf Pathan.

Now that the brawny right-hander has timed his performance with uncharacteristic flawlessness, one may hope for some more power-hitting during the qualifiers. It remains to be seen whether his lusty strokes continue to outshine his ineptness at finding the gaps with the same efficacy.