After nightmarish defeat to Punjab Kings, champions Kolkata Knight Riders face uphill job against in-form Gujarat Titans who have won 5 of their last 6 games
KKR players during a practice session ahead of their match against GT in Kolkata on Saturday. Pic/PTI
The mantra is to move on, but Kolkata Knight Riders may just tell you that’s easier said than done. For the Knights, who take on table-toppers Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens on Monday, last week’s meltdown in Mullanpur will have dented their confidence. The inability to get past a low target wouldn’t have sounded the alarm had it not been accompanied by an utter lack of match awareness by their batsmen.
Having shown that shortcoming earlier as well, last Tuesday’s loss to Punjab Kings makes it more than just one bad day in the office. Carl Crowe, KKR’s spin bowling coach, however, thinks otherwise. “It’s important not to get too high or too low with wins or losses,” he proffered on Sunday, adding that there was no need to “overanalyse”.
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It doesn’t help that the Titans arrive carrying the momentum of five victories in their last six matches, in sharp contrast to the defending champions’ loss-win-loss-win rollercoaster ride. The hosts will be wary of the Titans’ awe-inspiring arsenal — a batting unit that’s completing its job on most occasions with the middle-order still padded-up and a bowling unit oozing variety and venom.
Vikram Solanki, GT’s Director of Cricket, was around to throw in a word of caution. “KKR have always been a strong side, particularly at home. It’s very difficult to go through a tournament flawlessly,” he reminded.
Prasidh Krishna, who was with KKR for four seasons, currently wears the Purple Cap and many among his 14 wickets have been snared with the disconcerting bounce that the tall pacer with a top-arm delivery is generating. Mohammed Siraj has found a second wind and is spitting fire while the lanky Ishant Sharma is evoking experience to good effect. Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore is a smart one and KKR’s blundering batsmen will be hoping that Rashid Khan doesn’t find form here.
KKR’s bowlers have been delivering more often than not but they will be up against a top-order that’s a demolition squad. In skipper Shubman Gill and southpaw Sai Sudharsan, GT have one of the most prolific opening combos. Jos Buttler, who walks in next, will be flush from his unbeaten 97 that took GT past Delhi Capitals. Roasted in the scorching afternoon heat of Ahmedabad on Saturday, recovery will be key against a team that has been nicely rested.
There is a buzz around Abhishek Nayar’s return to the KKR ranks, only days after he was relieved of his Team India duties. The 41-year-old former international from Mumbai had been a part of KKR’s support staff from 2018 to 2024. KKR fans will be hoping he instils the surefootedness that KKR had during last year’s trophy-winning campaign.
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