(Info4now, October 3, 2021)– As we expected in the preview of Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings game, the endgames in IPL force you to take a seat and watch. Sent to bat first at Dubai International Stadium against Punjab, KKR had less assumption of scoring. With 160+ to defend at Dubai, they needed a strong bowling combination rather than a plan. The absence of Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell appeared a very visible problem in the second half and they lost to Punjab Kings. It has been clean so far that KKR camp has encouraged their players to take a fearless stand with the bat and it works. But the lack of serious planning in the first leg has no special move in the second too. As KKR vs SRH to be played today evening, we are keen to know their game plan.
What the Williamson side should take care of is just to bring out their best. They have no pressure to maintain net run rate or to manage a must win. They own an excellent batting unit and a gem like Jason Holder. So it’s very necessary to keep the game exciting and interesting. Cricket being the game of team spirit, it’s really unacceptable to witness an uncompetitive contest. Mumbai Indians lost to Delhi Capitals last evening but not with any compromise. A beauty from Rituraj Gaikwad just denied by the opposition like Rajasthan Royals. With a fair number of deliveries to spare, RR chased down 189 against the table topper CSK. So it’s very clear to take KKR match as just a game on Hyderabad’s part and fight back.
Preview of Match 49: KKR vs SRH
KKR have to immediately find a replacement for Andre Russell. It’s very important for KKR to bring someone who can bowl at least three overs. A team with a strong bowling line up cannot impair its key factor. So to equalise that balance of the start, McCullum should think of either Ben Cutting or Shakib Al Hasan. Shivam Mavi is a good change for KKR and they must go with him in today’s play. Tim Southee is the only striking bowler at the start and the campaign probably won’t get cold feet about his inclusion. Varun Chakravarty and Sunil Narine are keeping the batsmen guessing and in need of a perfect fifth bowler to support.
Subhman Gill’s inconsistency is a problem. Every time he scores, he goes through a lean patch consequently. He had to overcome that to stabilize a good partnership with Venkatesh Iyer at the top. Tripathi is fine at number 3. Nitish Rana can score all over the park. And Eoin Morgan should bat down the order to give an experienced Karthik or a striking all rounder more balls to face. Down the order Sunil Narine and Southee can bat.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jason Roy and Wriddhiman Saha can give a good start, and Williamson at No 3 must try to be more attacking. As a number of young batsmen to follow, they should be given free licence to explore their best. Consisting of three big international stars in the bowling department, Hyderabad have everything to master against KKR.
Conclusion
It’s a pressure game for KKR while a face saving one for SRH. Both the teams have strong chances to bring some changes to ensure right balance for this particular fight. No doubt, it never looks like a fifty-fifty game. But in cricket, a game changes quickly. Against a team game, it, many a time, speaks in terms of a single spell of bowling or an isolated good innings.
