IPL 2012 Preview - Kolkata Knight Riders
The Preview of the KKR team.
Kolkata Knight Riders is a team that has always been in the news and generally it’s been for all the bad reasons. However last year they started from scratch as they rebuilt a brand new team and the end result wasn’t much different, but this year they would be looking to do better and put their horror past behind them. Led by the Indian southpaw, KKR have a decent lineup.
With the likes of Jaques Kallis, Brad Haddin, Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan, Manoj Tiwary and the heavy hitting Yusuf Pathan, Manvinder Bisla, the talent is certainly not lacking. Kallis, and Gambhir at the top of the order have a huge role to play and if they get the runs, I’m sure KKR have a very good chance. Pathan though inconsistent can pack a punch and other teams would be wary of him. The likes of Tiwary and McCullum add more firepower to the cannon and KKR’s one worry would be that they do not blow up in their face as they usually have done in the past. Tiwary specially would be keen to make an impact so that he can make it into the International team. The captaincy of Gambhir will be vital in deciding his team’s success.
KKR have some very good T20 all-rounders Shakib al Hasan, Ryan ten Doeschate, Yusuf Pathan, Rajat Bhatia, Jaques Kallis and Laxmi Shukla provide more stability and options for Gambhir. Last year the team's fielding was atrocious and this year I hope that they learn to hold onto their catches. That certainly will help them in a big way!
The bowling for KKR is also strong with good pace battery and a decent crop of spinners. In Brett Lee, Balaji, de Lange, Pattinson, and Unadkat, KKR have some of the best talents out there and it will be interesting to see how they go about it. Spinners would be the key, I feel and Sunil Narine, Iqbal Abdulla, and Lada would have a huge role to play in the middle overs.
KKR is a powerful team on paper and it is difficult to underestimate them, but if past performances are anything to go by, then KKR would be struggling. With a new jersey, and a new logo, Shahrukh Khan and company would be hoping for a fresh start and hopefully Gambhir and his boys can provide that for Kolkata. I’m still not optimistic about their chances and think it will be yet another mediocre season for them. Hope I am proved wrong this time.
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