The defending champions are going to play their opening match in the eight edition of the IPL against the Mumbai Indians today. With the burden of expectations today we look at 5 reasons why the KKR are going to LOSE the opening match.
1. Gautam Gambhir’s lack of form: Rejected India opener Gautam Gambhir is terribly out of form as far as his form is concerned. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy twenty 20 tournament, Gambhir could manage only a paltry 42 runs from four games. The key to Kolkata Knight Rider’s success last year was Gambhir’s opening stands with Robin Uthappa. With his form deserting it could well be alarm bells ringing for the Kolkata outfit.
2. Sunil Narine’s changed action: There has been a major controversy surrounding the action of ace Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Sunil Narine. Sunil Narine had been called up for suspect bowling action by the BCCI even after being given a clean chit by the International Cricket Council. The matter escalated to such a level that Narine had to change his action. It remains to be seen whether Narine’s new action can be as effective as his last.
3. Rohit Sharma: The biggest thorn in Kolkata’s ambition of winning the opening match could be the Mumbai Indians skipper. Rohit Sharma has a special liking to the Eden Gardens as he scored his record breaking 264 against Sri Lanka and also his century on debut in this particular ground. The Knight Riders would be hoping that the Indian opener would not put up a similar display on his favourite strip.
4.Weak Foreign Players: The Mumbai Indians have a very strong contingent of foreign players playing for them this match. Starting with the likes of Kieron Pollard, Corey Anderson, Lasith Malinga and Aaron Finch, the blues look a much formidable unit to win the match as compared to their opposition. The Knight Riders have in their ranks a considerably old lot of foreign players like Brad Hogg and Johan Botha, who are not the need of the hour in this format of the game.
5. Lasith Malinga: The Mumbai Indians boast of the most lethal bowler in the history of the IPL in the form of Lasith Malinga. The Sri Lankan holds the distinction of being the highest wicket taker in the IPL. Malinga had recently been out of sorts in the recently concluded World Cup, but in this format of the game he is a different bowler alltogether. It would not come as a surprise if ‘Slinger Malinga’ dominates the proceedings.
Let’s wait and watch as things unfold.
