28 April,2024 07:09 AM IST | Kolkata | Arup Chatterjee
Chandrakant Pandit
Having failed to defend huge totals twice within 10 days in their own backyard, Kolkata Knight Riders face the pressing task of dispelling doubt. If the last-ball loss to table-toppers Rajasthan Royals was heart-breaking, Friday's record run chase by no-hopers Punjab Kings would have shaken belief.
"We see the positive side; three results may have gone against us but the team are playing superb cricket," KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit said on the eve of Monday's match against Delhi Capitals. Saying that they are in a confident mind-space, he added: "It's [actually] easy to motivate them."
The Capitals have shrugged off early tentativeness to emerge as surefooted contenders for the playoffs. Rishabh Pant & Co flew in flush from Saturday's victory over Mumbai Indians.
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The last time they met the Capitals in Vizag, KKR won by a whopping 106 runs with DC folding up in less than 18 overs. A lot has changed since, particularly within DC. They have learnt to win more often, and not many would have heard of Jake Fraser-McGurk then. On Monday at the Eden Gardens, he will pose the biggest threat to KKR's beleaguered bowling unit.
The 22-year-old has hammered 247 runs in five innings at a strike-rate of 237.50. He has three half-centuries, among them a 27-ball 84 at an unbelievable strike-rate of 311 on Saturday, showing utter disdain for even the dreaded Jasprit Bumrah.
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David Warner is still nursing a thumb injury so the Aussie youngster is expected to open the innings. KKR must come with a clear plan for him and Sunil Narine, their best bet, could well be introduced early.
With skipper Pant back at his imperious best, Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs among runs and high strike-rates, and even the likes of Axar Patel and Abishek Porel playing their part, KKR's bowling will be tested to the hilt.
While batters on both sides will be under pressure to put a huge total on board, bowlers have the onerous task of trying to deny them.
