E-Paper
Batting a worry as KKR look for revenge
For the Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen, reaching double figures has been akin to hard labour. In the three matches KKR have played so far, the maximum number of batsmen reaching double figures was in their second game loss to Rajasthan Royals — four. Somshuvra Laha reports. Face off
For the Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen, reaching double figures has been akin to hard labour. In the three matches KKR have played so far, the maximum number of batsmen reaching double figures was in their second game loss to Rajasthan Royals — four. Against Delhi, and in their win over Bangalore, only three batsmen reached double figures.
It has been quite a familiar sight, watching KKR implode quite woefully.
For a squad that possesses the likes of Jacques Kallis, Gautam Gambhir, Brendon McCullum, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan and local players like Manoj Tiwary and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who hit two blistering tons in last month's Vijay Hazare Trophy, that's worrying statistics.
In Bangalore on Tuesday, Shah Rukh Khan's boys were almost on the verge of exploding to their potential when they reached the 100 run-mark in the 11th over. But that was that. Gambhir's return to form and Kallis's dependability is comforting. But the Knights would need more to make an impression that would last the entire tournament.
RR's spirit has been dampened by Wednesday’s loss to MI, but they have the resources and the leadership to bounce back. But on a pitch that should be good for batting, KKR will hope more batsmen fire.
