iSport's IPL Paddock is launched and here is our first piece! iSporter Hirok Banerjee an ardent KKR fan and supporter introduces his favourite Knight Riders! Here is an interesting piece on what they team is good at and what they need to work on!
Would it be Sourav Ganguly's last hurrah? Or would it be another dismal show of losing matches from winning positions? The answer could very well be decided by the unlikeliest of the players. The 4 foreigners are vital to any team in IPL. But they are not the deciding factors. The key lies with the other seven domestic cricketers. If they deliver, the probability of winning of that team multiplies.
The Dark Horses
In that context, the Knight Riders seem to be in a better shape than they were in the last IPL. Manoj Tiwary, though listless in the earlier versions, comes back to his home town, assured of having a look-in all through the 14 games. Never again, will he get such a stage to prove his mettle and stake a claim for the national cap which continues to elude him. Ishant Sharma seems to be finding his rhythm back. Shukla and Saha are good support bases. But the hero or the dark horse could be Cheteshwar Pujara. Touted and branded as the next good thing in the post-Rahul era, he could be the difference between a victory or defeat, because it is the guy who comes in at number 5 or 6, who has the capacity to turn the match decisively.
The Probable Knights
From the probable 14-member squad, as it should it be as per the author's opinion - McCullum, Hodge, Gayle, Mathews, Hussey, Bond, Ganguly, Saha, Sharma, Pujara, Tiwary, Anureet, Dinda, Shukla and Indulkar. McCullum would be unavailable for the first 7 games which nearly makes Hodge, Gayle, Hussey and Bond a certainty. When he is back, the choice will be between Hussey or Hodge, depending on the current form. If Bond is injured, Mashrafe Mortaza would be his likely replacement.
Strategy
Considering Ganguly's track record of his affinity towards Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Bangar, it would not be surprising to see them don the colours. In spite of them having tasted success in international cricket, Agarkar and Bangar really do not fit in the scheme of things. Depending on the opposition, the batting order should be flexible with Ganguly opening when either McCullum or Gayle is indisposed. David Hussey ought to be used as a floater to be sent in the last 6 overs or thereabouts. At every point of time, there should one batsman who should simply go after the bowling irrespective of the state of the match. In that sense, Saha and Shukla fits the bill. The new ball definitely goes to Bond and his 4 overs should be done away with at one go – break the backbone at the beginning to hold back the opposition. Ishant gets to be his partner and Shukla or Dinda to be the change bowlers.
Areas of Concern
One thing which KKR lacks is a quality spinner. Ajantha Mendis is in the squad but his current form does not inspire confidence. The other option is Murali Kartik, whom Ganguly is likely to play in some games. But chances are that Gayle and Hussey will fill that slot. The other area which is surely going to hurt KKR is the absence of a outright middle-order hitter. The lack of pace which was evident in the last IPL has been countered with the buyout of Bond.
The Knights' team is an interesting one. It is not as strong as a Chennai or a Delhi but if their top players are in form, this is a team which has the potential to surprise all! Whether that happens or not will be ironically dependent on the inspiration of Ganguly and his uncanny but tested ability to make otherwise insignificant players transform themselves into match winners!
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