Written by Maverick White for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Thursday 24 April | Sharjah | 16:30
As pundits expected, the Royal Challengers Bangalore are off to a blistering start to the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League. Two wins from two matches leaves them second on the table and only the Kings XI Punjab, with the maximum six point from their three matches, lie above them. To keep pace, Bangalore must beat tournament dark horses Kolkata Knight Riders. The balance of the Kolkata side is poised for success, yet inconsistency continues to plague their top order. As a result they find themselves mid-table at this early stage of the competition, but a win here would put them on even points with Bangalore. As much as ‘puritans’ of the game (read Test cricket aficionados) such as myself lament this time of the year, this season’s T20 cricketing circus looks set to be the most exciting race to playoffs yet, with key players on all fronts already beginning to emerge.
To Win
Royal Challengers 6/10
Tie 35/1
Knight Riders 14/10
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The consistency exhibited in Bangalore’s two wins so far offer a stark contrast to the manner in which the Knight Riders go about their business. Where one star player fails, another absorbs the pressure and to date, the Royal Challengers look the whole package. Prior to the tournament their bowling was a worry; in such a long tournament, consistently conceding runs inevitably comes back to haunt a side. In this department they have delivered, though it must be said that Bangalore have often began the tournament strong, only to wither near the closing stages. A frightening prospect for future fixtures, Chris Gayle has been sidelined by a back injury and his replacement Nic Maddinson is yet to fire. With the IPL’s high score record-holder back at the top of the order, this could very well be that golden season for the IPL’s nearly-men.
Considered a weakness, their attack has proven resolute. Starc was slightly expensive in the opening fixture against Delhi, but came back with 2/21 in his four overs bowled to Mumbai, claiming the prize wickets of Rayudu and Anderson. Albie Morkel has been given three overs at the top and hasn’t gone for much, Aaron has also proven accurate while the spinner Chahal has shone. Not afraid to flight the ball, he collected 2/17 against the Indians, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard his victims. Bangalore enjoy to chase and have so far restricted their opponents to 145 and 115 respectively. And why not chase? A batting lineup that consists of Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, AB de Villiers and potentially Chris Gayle, is capable of anything. What makes for the best reading for fans of Bangalore, is that wicket-keeper opener Parthiv Patel is in fine form, collecting a half-century in his last visit to the crease. A fifty for Yuvraj and forties not out for de Villiers and Kohli means that almost the full order is firing. The Kolkata attack will definitely have their work cut out.
Kolkata Knight Riders
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Knight Riders, who possess an attack capable of hurting any side. Formidable spin twins Narine and Chawla always offer the potential for wickets, but may be left slightly frustrated in Sharjah which has looked to favour the batsmen or the seamers. Morne Morkel may find some assistance here and other than coming off second best in duel with JP Duminy, has managed to find pace and lift from the pitches in the UAE, proving troublesome. Jacques Kallis is the rock around which Kolkata build their side, an anchor at the top of the innings and handy bowler. His off-cutter to beat Ross Taylor was a shining example of the value he brings to the side, coupled with his score of 72 from 46 balls against defending champions Mumbai Indians.
It doesn’t hurt that Sunil Narine is second on the chart of wicket-takers in the tournament, five to his name at 7.60, economy 4.75. His dominance is vital for Kolkata, as he was shut out against Delhi, a game the Knight Riders went on to lose. With Sharjah likely to be unhelpful, Kolkata supporters will be further irked by a opening pair from whom they expect more. Despite the undoubted value that Kallis and Gambhir offer, the both are the tournament’s two specialist batsmen with the most ducks in history, nine. Sharjah has proved to be profitable for patient batsmen and Kallis looks in good form despite his most recent ducks. Gambhir is coming off a double and searching for his first runs of the tournament, with need to cash in here. Manish Pandey is in good nick, 115 runs in two innings adding much-needed consistency, while Robin Uthappa and Shakib Al Hasan found form against Delhi. Kolkata find themselves outsiders, but they are dark horses for a reason.
Venue
As discussed, the venue is friendly to pace and batsmen found runs easy earlier in the tournament. Bangalore are the only side to have played a game here already so will be slightly more similar with the conditions. With both teams having firepower, high scores are expected here. Look towards 170+ when playing the markets.
BEST: Top Kolkata Batsman, Jacques Kallis 3/1
Sharjah is seamer friendly, which is exactly the type of bowling that King Kallis enjoys. Pace coming onto the bat will suit him and the likes of Albie Morkel and Ashok Dinda should travel. Chahal will be his biggest threat, an unknown to the veteran. Still, the price is right. Back Kallis to shine.
VERDICT: Royal Challengers Bangalore 6/10
I feel this will be closer than the odds offered, Kallis likely to prosper and Pandey in fine form. But Bangalore simply offer too much quality. One feels they could chase anything with de Villiers, Kohli and Yuvraj in the middle-order. I wouldn’t stray too far from Bangalore topping the table with Punjab on Friday.
