Numbers don’t always tell the right story, especially in a team sport like cricket. However, Kolkata Knight Riders’ position on the points table-sixth with 11 points made up of five wins, five losses, and a no result-is a fair reflection of their campaign so far. The defending champions have blown hot and cold and haven’t really found the sort of momentum that they garnered during their title-clinching run last year. As a result, they find themselves with the possibility of being eliminated even if they win all of their last three league games.
Not too long ago, 16 points appeared a safe marker to make it to the playoffs but KKR could reach 17 and still be out of contention. It speaks volumes of the competition levels this season and it means that the Knight Riders have no room for errors. Their batting, notably against spin bowling, has been the major weakness for the side. This has often muddled their middle overs progress and big-ticket signing Venkatesh Iyer’s lack of form has furthered their troubles. Amidst all this, it’s been their spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy that has pulled them through with the odd decent batting effort.
Andre Russell found form against RR and the all-rounder will need to fire all cylinders in the coming games if KKR are to have a chance to go deeper into the competition. Unstable batting order, opening woes, middle overs muddle and some strange tactics have all played their part but KKR don’t have time to make further mistakes. They will be against a CSK side that has nothing to lose. In fact, the five-time champions have been using their last few games of the season to blood in the younger players and this game could be another opportunity for that.
It’s been a season to forget for MS Dhoni and his men. The veteran had to make an unexpected comeback as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury during the initial phase of the season. Unfortunately for his side, Dhoni couldn’t produce the Midas touch known from him and the 43-year-old’s personal form hasn’t been great either with teams often using the spin matchup to tie him down in the end overs. It has proved catastrophic to Dhoni and CSK, impacting several games including the recent loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
That game, however, saw CSK’s best effort in a run chase this season and with Urvil Patel being the latest young signing to the squad, Dhoni’s men are starting to build a promising core for the coming seasons. The cliched pride is at stake in these last three games but above that, the franchise will want to mould the youth who can take the side forward. The nothing-to-lose territory should help the rookies to express themselves and it this unpredictability that could sting the Knight Riders if they make the mistake of complacency.
On form, KKR are the better side, although they haven’t been at their dominant best. Apart from keeping their playoff hopes alive, this game will also be an opportunity for them to register their first-ever season double over CSK.
