IPL Match Preview : KKR vs RR[/b]
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have both had a mixed bag in IPL 7 so far, with two wins and two losses in four matches so far, and when they locks horns in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the two teams will try to outsmart each other.
Hit hard by the woeful form of their captain, Gautam Gambhir, KKR haven't hit the straps as the would have liked in season seven of the league, with Gambhir having been dismissed for a duck thrice in Kolkata's four matches so far. He scored just one in the team's last match against league-leaders Kings XI Punjab, which KKR lost by 23 runs. But KKR still have time to come back, as these are early days in the tournament; and despite their inconsistent form, they are placed fourth in the league table with two wins from four matches. With the likes of mystery spinner Sunil Narine, highest wicket-taker so far this season with nine scalps to his credit, in fine touch and the bowling department doing well compared to batting, Kolkata will be hoping to end the UAE leg of their campaign on a winning. But the win against Bangalore in their last match must have boosted their confidence, more so with their captain Shane Watson's return to form both with bat and ball.
The team's bowling, which does not boast any big name, has been doing a fine job. Except against the rampaging Kings XI Punjab, the Rajasthan bowlers have restricted their opponents to modest totals and it will be interesting to see when they come up against the likes of Kallis and Gambhir on Tuesday. Pacer Kane Richardson has been the most impressive, along with Rajat Bhatia, who has bowled in tight areas, and leg spinner Pravin Tambe who scalped four in Rajasthan's thrashing of Bangalore in their last match, where RCB were bowled out for 70.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have both had a mixed bag in IPL 7 so far, with two wins and two losses in four matches so far, and when they locks horns in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the two teams will try to outsmart each other.
Hit hard by the woeful form of their captain, Gautam Gambhir, KKR haven't hit the straps as the would have liked in season seven of the league, with Gambhir having been dismissed for a duck thrice in Kolkata's four matches so far. He scored just one in the team's last match against league-leaders Kings XI Punjab, which KKR lost by 23 runs. But KKR still have time to come back, as these are early days in the tournament; and despite their inconsistent form, they are placed fourth in the league table with two wins from four matches. With the likes of mystery spinner Sunil Narine, highest wicket-taker so far this season with nine scalps to his credit, in fine touch and the bowling department doing well compared to batting, Kolkata will be hoping to end the UAE leg of their campaign on a winning. But the win against Bangalore in their last match must have boosted their confidence, more so with their captain Shane Watson's return to form both with bat and ball.
The team's bowling, which does not boast any big name, has been doing a fine job. Except against the rampaging Kings XI Punjab, the Rajasthan bowlers have restricted their opponents to modest totals and it will be interesting to see when they come up against the likes of Kallis and Gambhir on Tuesday. Pacer Kane Richardson has been the most impressive, along with Rajat Bhatia, who has bowled in tight areas, and leg spinner Pravin Tambe who scalped four in Rajasthan's thrashing of Bangalore in their last match, where RCB were bowled out for 70.