Friday 13 April 2012
"IPL-5 Today Match 15: KKR vs RR"
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata
Kolkata seek to build on big win
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| Owais Shah has had a good run |
The Royals, since then, lost to Mumbai Indians, and the teams have endured contrasting fortunes after their previous meeting. The Royals perhaps miscalculated by playing Brad Hogg in their defeat to Mumbai instead of Brad Hodge and then conceding 197. The Knight Riders had their top order back in touch in their win against Royal Challengers, after being dismissed cheaply in their loss to the Royals. The Knight Riders may have more confidence on their side this time, and home support to back it up.
Players to watch
While Ajinkya Rahane has impressed at the top, Owais Shah has proved highly reliable in the middle order for the Royals with
scores of 14*, 23* and 76 - the last one included five sixes - and an admirable average of 35.28 in the shortest format.
scores of 14*, 23* and 76 - the last one included five sixes - and an admirable average of 35.28 in the shortest format.
As he was for his former team, the Royals, in the first three seasons, Yusuf Pathan is a key member of the Knight Riders side but has failed to fire so far. With 16 runs in three innings and nothing to show for with the ball, his side needs him to step up quickly.
2011 head-to-head
The teams played each other back to back in the IPL last year, with Knight Riders winning each time. Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir scored unbeaten half-centuries to help their side chase down 160 to win by nine wickets in Jaipur, and a collective bowling effort led by L Balaji skittled out the Royals for 85 two days later at Eden Gardens.
Stats and trivia
Gambhir has struck 187 fours in the five seasons of the IPL, second only to Sachin Tendulkar's 219. Kallis is fourth on the list, with 177.
Knight Riders have won 28 and lost 35 of their IPL games. Fifteen of those wins have come at home (they've played 28 games in all at Eden Gardens).
Quotes
"This was the best spell that I have ever seen in a Twenty20 competition."
Gautam Gambhir, the Knight Riders captain, on L Balaji's spell of 4 for 18 against the Royal Challengers.
"This is the first time I've had much of a chance, this is the first time I've played in an IPL team. I actually feel like I'm having a proper run in a side now."
Owais Shah, who's been part of four IPL teams, finally feels he is getting a good run
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