IPL preview: At Eden, it’s advantage Kolkata

KKR (beat SRH)

What went right: Kolkata Knight Riders’ strength is in optimising the home advantage. It is basically their bowlers who have been subduing the opposition. Umesh Yadav’s was KKR’s hero last game, getting rid of David Warner and Naman Ojha in the first over during the chase. It needed something special to sneak through Warner’s defence, and Umesh produced the ball of the match that landed on the seam and moved away. Then, Brad Hogg took over, accounting for Shikhar Dhawan and Moises Henriques. On a two-paced Eden Gardens pitch, it was all about bowling in the right areas. Kolkata bowlers were right on the money.

What went wrong: Andre Russell got out cheaply against Sunrisers Hyderabad and KKR middle-order faltered, losing five wickets inside eight overs. Without Yusuf Pathan’s unbeaten 19-ball 30, they would have been in trouble.

DD (lost to MI)

What Went wrong: Albie Morkel played the first game of the season and scored an unbeaten 73 off 55 balls. However, the team management dropped Morkel, bringing in Angelo Mathews. The latter has played the next nine matches, scoring 121 runs and taking seven wickets. The change hasn’t been working. With Yuvraj Singh taking on the Mumbai Indians bowling in the last game, a little bit of help from Mathews would have taken Delhi to a match-winning total. He came in the 12th over and there was enough time, but Mathews flattered to deceive.

What went right: Yuvraj Singh is still not at his best but his 44-ball 57 against Mumbai Indians suggested he was nearly there. The left-hander faces a sterner test against Kolkata, for the hosts will try to ruffle him with pace and bounce.

Conclusion

Delhi have two very good leg-spinners in Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra and they will enjoy bowling at Eden Gardens. Still the visitors start as heavy underdogs because their batting doesn’t inspire confidence.

Source:: Indian Express