Written by Rick John Henry for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings | Wednesday 17 September | Hyderabad | 16:30
The opening match to the upper echelons of this year’s Champions League T20 is set to be an explosive encounter between two IPL heavyweights. In some ways, sense prevails when it comes to the format of the competition, which is done and dusted within three weeks and leave no room for complacency. The IPL rewards consistency over time, which in the whirlwind world of T20 cricket is almost paradoxical. The Champions League, however, is often short-lived for sides who don’t function as a cohesive unit right from the start. Luckily for KKR and CSK, a lengthy IPL season has bedded new arrivals while the elder statesmen are all well versed in what is required for victory in such high-pressure fixtures.
To Win
Kolkata Knight Riders 27/20
Tie 35/1
Chennai Super Kings 6/10
Kolkata Knight Riders
The reigning IPL champions weren’t considered strong contenders preceding their second crowning in India’s cricketing carnival. Nonetheless, a strong side with a balance of talent in both the batting and bowling departments managed a place in the final and a rare victory over the Kings XI Punjab, a side who had been unstoppable all series. Manish Pandey, a player with tons of talent but little to show for it over the years began to reach maturity in the competition and it was his gutsy 94 from 50 balls in pursuit of KXIP’s 199 that clinched Kolkata the trophy. Robin Uthappa, another player with a slightly checkered past – form wise – came to the fore in IPL 2014 as the top scorer. With 660 runs at an average of 44.00, his five fifties, consistent contributions at the top of the order and strike-rate of 137.78 kept the Knight Riders buoyant, especially as the competition wore on. Another of their star players, Sunil Narine, will also feature in the Champions League. Yet again he finished among the top wickets takers in IPL 2014, the most important piece in Kolkata’s spin puzzle that they rely so heavily upon. Indeed, third spinner and one of the world’s leading all-rounders, Shakib Al Hasan, will take no part in the Champions League due to Bangladesh Cricket’s ban.
One would think that a squad containing the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Jacques Kallis, Piyush Chawla, Narine, Pandey and Uthappa wouldn’t miss the likes of Al Hasan. However, I believe he plays in crucial part in the mechanics of the side. His ability with the ball, especially on Indian tracks, would see him make most sides purely judged upon that. He makes consistent runs in the lower order and has an unpredictability with the bat that can have captains in a knot over their field placings. Kolkata had the luxury of dropping an out of form Jacques Kallis safe in the knowledge that Shakib could offer coverage in both areas. Kolkata will also be missing Morne Morkel with a shoulder injury, but have ample cover in pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Umesh Yadav and Vinay Kumar.
Chennai Super Kings
Packed with a power and the luxury of consistency in selection, the Chennai Super Kings boast one of the most fearsome T20 sides on the planet. Captained by short form mastermind MS Dhoni, CSK’s top order will likely feature Dwayne Smith and Faf du Plessis. Smith racked up 566 runs in IPL 2014 with five fifties, the second most in the tournament. du Plessis is currently in the form of his life with three centuries and a 96 in the recently concluded Zimbabwe Triangular Series. A middle order of Suresh Raina, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Jadeja and Dhoni will be a tough ask for any side to suppress. In terms of the bowlers, Ravi Ashwin paired with Jadeja will likely offer the majority of the spin threat, the possibility of West Indian Samuel Badree getting a run not out of the question. Ashwin averaged a wicket per game in the previous IPL, Jadeja in even better form. Paceman Mohit Sharma blitzed all others in IPL 2014, collecting the most scalps with 23, although Chennai will still worry about his relatively high economy rate being at more than eight to the over. Indeed, quality seamers is the only area Chennai needs to work on.
They lost out in Qualifier 2 of this year’s IPL, beaten rather comprehensively by runners-up Kings XI Punjab. The Super Kings conceded 226 with Virender Sehwag bludgeoning 115 from 58 deliveries to all but wrap up the contest at the halfway mark. It was another example of Chennai’s limited pace resources being exposed and unable to contain rampant batsmen on tricky Indian surfaces. While their batsmen always remain a threat and have the ability to take a game away from any opponent, if the Super Kings have not been hard at work on a method to choke runs, they will find themselves flayed once more.
Venue
The few matches played in Hyderabad during IPL 2014 showed a ground that could yield middling to high totals through application. 200 was only breached once, with a score of 140-150 considered slightly on the low side. Two teams such as the ones presented, both heavy with power-hitters, should be looking for scores closer to the 180 mark. Of the two sides, KKR emerged victorious on their visit to Hyderabad while Chennai didn’t play an IPL match at the ground last year. There is a 60% chance of thunderstorms so a shortened contest may be on the cards.
VERDICT: Kolkata Knight Riders 27/20
Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s absence making for a large hole within the side, the Kolkata Knight Riders still look a balanced unit that will trouble all sides in the competition. The heyday of the Chennai Super Kings is past, and while they remain formidable, they are by no means unbeatable. Get some of KKR at a nice price.
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