Match 3: Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium (Capacity 28,000)
Friday, 7th April
20:00 hrs IST
The Gujarat Lions host two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot for the third match of the current IPL season. Having made their debut just last year the Lions fared pretty well in their first outing as they finished third from top. What helped them a great deal was building their team around the core left behind by outgoing teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. On the other hand are the Knight Riders who have been the blockbuster team of the IPL, owing to their home ground- the majestic Eden and with the their owners’ shirt being dawned by the King of Bollywood. Ever since they have handed over the reins of captaincy to Gautam Gambhir, and built a strong team around their core of players, they have come of age of being just a glamorous outfit and have also gone on to lift the trophy twice.
Team News:
The hosts will depend on their batting to give them the edge against the visitors. The Lions boast of one of the most explosive top 3 in their batting order with Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and skipper Suresh Raina. Aaron Finch and wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik who is fresh from a great domestic season and willing to make a case for himself before the Champions Trophy in June, comprise the middle order. The fact that 80% of their wins last year came while chasing is testimony to their batting potential.
This season of the IPL has been plagued with injuries and with each passing day the list has just lengthened. Gujarat will have to do without two of their most impact players as Ravindra Jadeja is rejuvenating after a long home season and Dwayne Bravo is recovering from a hamstring injury. This leaves them with the option of making James Faulkner as the link man in their line-up. Their biggest weakness lies in their bowling department as they lack an impact bowler. While the likes of Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni can do a decent job with the ball, the attack bears a toothless nature that can easily fail to intimidate the opposition.
The Knight Riders depend on a tried and tested formula of a balanced side, with each member doing his bit for the team’s success. The opening pair of captain Gambhir and Robin Uthappa may not be a flourishing one, but the duo is adept at laying the ideal platform for the likes of Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan to come and cash in. Chris Lynn, on the back of a very successful Big Bash League, brings the X factor to the Knight Riders setup. Shakib Al Hasan, with his all-round abilities, strikes the right balance for them, but the Knight Riders will have to wait before they can avail his services as he is completing national duty. Unlike injury scares that have haunted all other teams, Kolkata have been deprived the services of their biggest showman Andre Russell courtesy him serving a ban. Gambhir loves to unleash his spinners and it would be interesting to see who he chooses to field amongst Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine and the young Indian sensation Kuldeep Yadav. Umesh Yadav, who is nursing a sore hip, will be missed. They have beefed up their fast bowling options, buying Trent Boult and Chris Woakes in the pre-season auction. (http://www.cricmetric.com/blog/2017/02/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-ipl-auction-2017/)
Ideal Playing XI
Gujarat Lions: Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina ©, Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ishan Kishan, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shadab Jakati, Shivil Kaushik
Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir ©, Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Chris Lynn, Surya Kumar Yadav, Chris Woakes, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult
Pitch and Weather report: It is summer time in India and the mercury has risen high. A maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 21°C is predicted. With 29% humidity, there are no chances that rain may play spoil sport.
A high scoring encounter can be predicted as the pitch at Rajkot is expected to play true with no demons are expected. The first innings average total last year was 155, reflective of the fact that the surface is not a belter. However, teams chasing hold an upper hand at the venue as 4 out of the 5 matches last year were won by teams batting second. Gujarat won 3 out of their 5 games at Rajkot last year.
History: With the Lions only coming into the league last year, the two teams have crossed paths only twice. The team from Gujarat got the better of the team from the ‘city of joy’ both the times.
Match prediction: Both the teams will be looking to find their bearings early in the tournament. At the outset, it looks to be a battle between the belligerent Gujarat batting line-up and the methodological approach of the Knight Riders. With no particular team starting off as firm favorite, the Raina led team will be looking to take advantage of support from the home crowd and edge past their opponents from the far east.