IPL preview- Kolkata Knight Riders

When we call the City of Joy the name comes into mind is Kolkata. Their team looks solid on paper. In 2014 edition when the team was struggling in the first half of the tournament, the team mangament decided to change the combination of the side and fortunes changed with Kolkata winning the title for the second time in 3 years.

This year they have bought uncapped Indian player KC Carrippa who is off spinner, veteran spinner Brad Hogg, fast bowler from Delhi Sumit Narwal, another uncapped player Vaibhav Rawal, Aditya Garwhal which are good purchases. The defending champions can hammer any big team on its day.

In this article, we analyze the Kolkata based franchise in depth:

PAST PERFORMANCES

2014:1^st

2013: 7^th

2012: 1^st

2011: 4^th

2010: 6^th

2009: 8^th

2008: 6^th

CURRENT SQUAD

Gautuam Gambhir(C), Azhar Mahmood, Johan Botha, KC Carriappa, Piyush Chawla, Pat Cummins, Aditya Garhwal, Brad Hogg, Sheldon Jackson, Kuldeep Yadav, Morne Morkel, Sunil Narine, Sumit Narwal, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Veer Pratap Singh, Vaibhav Rawal, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Robin Uthappa, Umesh Yadav,

STRENGTH

The strength of Kolkata Knight Riders is the ability to fight out of difficult situations. This year they have good batting unit which comprises of Gautuam Gambhir, Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Andre Russell, Shakib AL Hasan, new comer Sheldon Jackson. The bowling also looks not so bad with the likes of Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel, Brad Hogg, China men bowler Kuldeep Yadav, their trump card Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla Azhar Mahmood , Johan Botha and Pat Cummins. This team has no many options to look out for. Their batting had looked out of sorts in the first few matches last year but when Robin Uthappa came to the top of order this team looked a different team. The Indian domestic players showed their class. Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan performs well when the team needs them to perform. Azhar Mahmood is a great replacement who has played T-20 format in different parts of the World. Sunil Narine has been cleared to bowl in the edition so that will be great news for Kolkata Knight Riders.

WEAKNESS

The weakness of this team is that the pressure will be on Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel, and Veer Pratap Singh. They need to do well from the start of the tournament if they do not want to get in trouble like they did last year but got out of trouble. Shakib AL Hasan will be returning to Bangladesh for the national duty and it would be big blow for defending champions.  It is important that the bowling has to be on spot to restrict the opponents to small total. They will certainly miss Jacques Kallis. Yusuf Pathan will be their weak link and the captain Gambhir must take care.

OPPOURNITIES

It is a great chance for the defending champions to play good aggressive cricket. The home crowd at Kolkata will be a huge boost and playing at the electric atmosphere will help Kolkata a big way. Sheldon Jackson who had a great 2014/15 Ranji Trophy is rewarded and might get a nod ahead of some seniors which is great news for this youngster. The explosive batsmen like Yusuf Pathan, Andre Rusell will their trump card. With the opening match of the tournament at Kolkata this will a great chance for them to begin on positive note. In Kolkata if the pitches are helpful for spinners the likes of Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav and Johan Botha will come into play big time.

THREAT

The threat for Kolkata is the pressure of being the defending champions. The first few matches they need to start well and do not continue to make mistakes like they did in 2014. Despite a good squad Kolkata has to get the combination right. Gautuam Gambhir needs to score runs which he did not do at all in the first half of tournament in 2014. They need Uthappa to be in form and also need their explosive players like Pathan and Russell to consistently perform.

FIXTURES

1.        Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians-8^th April(8.00PM)at Kolkata
2.        Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore-11^th April(8.00PM)at Kolkata
3.        Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders-18^th April(8.00PM)at Pune
4.        Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders-20^th April(8.00PM)at Delhi
5.        Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders-22^nd April(4.00PM)at Vizag
6.        Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals- 26^th April(4.00PM)at Kolkata
7.        Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders-28^th April(8.00PM)at Chennai
8.        Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings-30^th April(8.00PM)at Kolkata
9.        Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders-2^nd May(4.00PM)at Bangalore
10.    Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad- 4^th May(8.00PM)at Kolkata
11.    Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils-7^th May(8.00PM)at Kolkata
12.    Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab- 9^th May(4.00PM)at Kolkata
13.    Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders- 14^th May(8.00PM)at Mumbai
14.    Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders- 16^th May(8.00PM)at Mumbai

LIKELY POSITION:

With the defending champions and the power they posses a place in playoff rounds is the least one can expect. If they get going in play-offs even defending the title is not far fetched.