ROYALS IN PLACE

Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals renew their IPL- 5 battle at Eden Gardens here on Friday, amid contrasting scenarios. Notching up a comprehensive victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore the other evening, the Knights go into the game with timely momentum.

For the Royals, who lost their first away game after two convincing wins, it would be crucial to get their act together quickly.

Given the nature of the Eden track — expectedly a sporting one with firm bounce — and a possible threat from Nor’westers that can lead to a yet another truncated affair, an equal amount of opportunity could be there for both sides irrespective of their strengths and weaknesses.

However, the Knights will certainly be able to approach the contest with a better frame of mind having thrashed a strong unit in RCB and that too, at the latter’s den.

Importantly for the Knight Riders, skipper Gautam Gambhir has regained his form with bowlers too delivering just when it mattered. The hosts would also hope wicketkeeper Manvinder Bisla continues with his impressive show up the order.

One aspect KKR need to finalise is whether or not they should carry on with the same set of foreigners in the final XI. The team management need to be aware of all possible effects should they risk tinkering with the winning combination.

For Rahul Dravid’s men, the manner in which they lost to Mumbai is a concern.

Almost all their bowlers took a pounding at the hands of Kieron Pollard and Co., while the batsmen too faltered except for a brief resistance from Owais Shah and Ajinkya Rahane.

Unfortunately for Rajasthan Royals, they have had just a day to regroup and learn from their mistakes. The tourists though may still draw heart from Kolkata batsmen’s tendency to collapse even from a position of strength, as witnessed in their previous match against Bangalore.