Desperate Knights in key clash with Royals

Kolkata, May 2: Their campaign in doldrums, Kolkata Knight Riders would be desperate to register a victory over a consistent Rajasthan Royals in the IPL-6 on Friday in what’s going to be the defending champions’ last league fixture here at the Eden Gardens.

Lopsided team selection, a flawed strategy coupled with a poor attitude have contributed to the team’s dismal show this season, leading many to believe that last year’s crown was nothing but a fluke.

Midway into the extravagant T20 League, when faltering teams like Delhi Daredevils have started to get their act together, the Knight Riders have refused to learn from the mistakes, with captain Gautam Gambhir being adamant in his approach.

The latest of their seven losses was against the resurgent Daredevils who registered their second successive win, third overall, by seven wickets last night at Raipur.

Half of the side was already inside the pavilion for 50 that included yet another suicidal run-out of Gambhir. Only some late spurt took KKR to a decent 136 for seven. Yusuf Pathan and South African legend Jacques Kallis once again let the team down. They now have an uphill task of winning six more matches if they want to earn a ticket to the playoffs.

That they have three away games, including one in Mumbai, and two ‘home’ games (vs RCB and PWI) at an unfamiliar venue — Ranchi — will make the case all the more difficult, and it will be a real test of character for Gambhir.

On the other hand, Rahul Dravid has led the side by example so far and backed his little-known judiciousspending team to perfec- tion, reminding one of what Shane Warne did in their triumphant season one (2008).

Rajasthan’s back-to-back victories have earned them 12 points from nine matches and they are comfortably placed at third position in the table.

Shane Watson’s red-hot form with the bat — 101, unbeaten 98 and 41 in last three appearances — is coming at just the right time. — PTI