 The Kolkata Knight Riders will play the Kings XI Punjab for the second
time in the tournament at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The last time the two sides
met was in Mohali, where the Knight Riders had stolen an easy win against the
Punjab side thanks to Manoj Tiwary's belligerence. This time around, it could
be no different as the Punjab side looks to be down in the dumps and struggling
to come to terms with the losses.
Click for Live Score Card of Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Mohali Punjab KingsThe Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Deccan Chargers in their previous
game and looked good enough as compared to their previous years. This also meant
that they had 8 points from eight games, as compared to the Punjab side which
has 2 from seven and it does look like Kolkata will be one of the front-runners
if they win this as well. And it does not sound too difficult given the manner
in which Punjab has played so far.
The main problem for Punjab is that the controversies have made it difficult
for the side to focus on the job on their hands. The latest rumour to come out
from their camp is the fact that Yuvraj Singh wanted to give up on playing
for the Kings XI Punjab side and play for the Mumbai Indians. However, the owner
of the side, Ness Wadia had apparently put his foot down and said no to that
and that was the reason why Yuvraj has been in a sulk ever since.
How true is the incident is not yet sure, but the truth is that more the controversies
that come out of the Punjab team, more difficult it gets for the team on the
field. Concentration, which is so necessary for the sides to perform well, goes
for a toss, whereas the form ceases to remain with the side.
Talking of form, Yuvraj Singh and Kumar Sangakkara are the two batsmen
whose form has seemed to desert him. They need to fire all cylinders in the
game against the Kolkata Knight Riders if they want to make the most out of
the game and garner those two vital points.
On the other hand, the batting form of Ganguly has only improved over the period
of this tournament and that has left them with more options. The manner in which
Ganguly spanked those 88 runs looked like here was the man to stay and to rule
the side. Now, if only Chris Gayle could get back to his thrashing and
scoring ways, life could be much easier for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
|
