KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

STRENGTHS ON FAMILIAR TURF

Early in IPL 10, Gautam Gambhir’s side upstaged hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Having again come out on top at the venue in another high-profile clash, the former champions are well-placed.

PULLING AS TEAM

Team performances rather than one or two players shouldering the weight has worked for Kolkata Knight Riders. In batting, bowling, and as they showed on Wednesday in fielding and catching, each member chips in.

FLEXIBLE UNIT

Skipper Gautam Gambhir and the team management showed they are flexible, asking Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa to open in the six-over shootout they won against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. Sunil Narine had been used as pinch-hitter until then. Same with leggie Piyush Chawla coming in for chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav. With many options for one slot, KKR have proven themselves to be one of the most balanced teams.

WEAKNESSES LOSS OF FORM

The Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla-owned team seemed a blockbuster initially, winning seven of the first nine matches. Since then it has been more of a flop show, losing five of the last seven matches. Of the two wins in the late phase, one came in the rain-hit Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

LATE ORDER

There have been questions about KKR batsmen’s ability to find late momentum in the innings. And that aspect will be really challenged by Mumbai’s death-overs specialists Jasprit Bumrah, Mitch McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga

CEDING ADVANTAGE

KKR have shown a tendency to give up from a position of strength. Against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede, they failed to defend 59 runs off the last 23 balls. Against the same opponents, they could not score 25 runs off the last three in the loss at Eden Gardens that put them out of a top two finish. This being a knockout, Gautam Gambhir has to ensure there is no false step when they are in charge.