This is the most awaited match between two strong IPL teams. Hot favourite Hyderabad Deccan Chargers will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Hyderabad is hampered by 4- foreign player rule while Kolkata IPL is on high after decimating Bangalore Royal Challengers in the opening match. But Knight Riders will have to play at their best to win against Deccan Chargers.
Both teams are looking weak in bowling department. Ishant Sharma is crucial for Kolkata Knight Riders. If Adam Gilchrist nullify Ishant Sharma’s factor, Kolkata will be in trouble. Shahrukh Khan is once again betting big on “Bangalore match hero” Brendon McCullum. We have to see how Hyderabad control McCullum in this match and win match.
Crucial players:
1. Andrew Symonds – who can destruct any bowling attack and can bowl and field. Real T20 all-rounder.
2. Adam Gilchrist: If he is still at crease after 5 overs, Hyderabad wins the match.
3. Brendon McCullum: Can you forget his Bangalore innings.
4. Ishant Sharma: He should take Gilchrist's wicket in his first 2 overs.
Match timings: 5 PM onwards.
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Hyderabad needs to face 1 lakh passionate Kolkata fans. Kolkata fans resemble Liverpool fans that create great atmosphere and vehemently support their home team. IPL cricket needs this type of audience. Kolkata audience will view scintillating knocks in this match. Eden Gardens is the "Anfield of Indian Premier League".Must watch: Shahrukh Khan provides full scale entertainment to the Kolkata viewers at Eden Gardens.
1. Rani Mukherjee dance.
2. Bipasha Basu entertainment. John Abraham may also come.
3. Kareena- Saif Ali Khan couple.
4. Possession from Hatibagan to Eden Gardens.
Good news: West Bengal Government waived entertainment tax for Kolkata Knight Riders. Good times for Bollywood “Badshaw” Shahrukh Khan. He is now "Khan of Good Times".
IPL Match preview:
Hyderabad Deccan Chargers:
Coach: Robin Singh.
Strong points:
1. Presence of Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds. Fearsome batting lineup.
2. Laxman’s intelligence captaincy.
3. Cool Rohit Sharma in the middle order.
4. R.P. Singh and Chaminda Vaas – ideal bowlers for 20-20 format.
5. Watch out for Ravi Teja, Hyderabad Ranji player.
Weak Points:
1. Only 4 foreign players per match rule.
2. Absence of world class spinner. Pragyan Ojha may face Piyush Chawla’s fate.
3. Shahid Afridi and Gibbs are not available for this match.
4. Hyderabad lacks depth in bowling attack due to lack of strong support bolwers.
Hyderabad IPL Team:
VVS Laxman (Captain), Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Ravi Teja, Sanjay Bangar, Rohit Sharma, Chamara Silva, Scott Styris, RP Singh, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Pragyan Ojha, Sarvesh Kumar, Kalyanakrishna, Vijay Kumar, Arjun Yadav and Venugopala Rao.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Coach: John Buchanan.
Strengths:
1. Ishant Sharma is in superb form.
2. Brendon McCullum- what can I write about him?
3. Ideal team spirit.
4. We should not underestimate David Hussey who may expose Hyderabad support bowlers like Ojha.
Weaknesses:
1. Chris Gayle is not available due to groin injury.
2. Salman Butt and Umar Gul are not available. Salman Butt is in scintillating form.
3. Poor form of Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting.
4. Symonds and Gilchrist may exploit bowlers like Agarkar.
Kolkata IPL Team:
Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Brendon McCullum, Ricky Ponting, Ashok Dinda, David hussy, Ishant Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik, Mohammad Hafeez, Taibu, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Siddarth Kaul, Cheteswar Pujara, Debabrata Das, Yashpal Singh and Prasanta Saha.
Verdict: Hyderabad Deccan Chargers is marginally ahead due to strong batting lineup. So many match winners in the Hyderabad team may change the match course within a few balls. Match result depends on how Kolkata bowlers control Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds. If Ponting and Ganguly regain their full form, Hyderabad will be in trouble. Kolkata has home advantage due to vintage audience.
Note: Delhi Daredevils crushed Rajasthan Royals in a one sided match. Some readers questioned my negative views on Jaipur IPL team. My opinion is IPL authorities should remove franchise owners who have neither passion for game nor guts. Only Shahrukh and Preity Zinta have passion for IPL cricket and India Cements and Deccan Chronicle owners have guts to build great teams. Anil Ambani should buy Jaipur IPL and build it from scratch. Players like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly should voluntarily withdraw their iconic status like Laxman for team’s cause. IPL is here to stay with minor changes.
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