Back at Eden Gardens after spending nearly a month away from home, Kolkata Knight Riders will be fighting to keep their IPL playoff hopes alive when they take on an in-form Gujarat Titans side eyeing a top-two finish on Saturday.
KKR’s campaign under veteran Ajinkya Rahane has been marked by inconsistency and disappointment. Rahane’s appointment as captain had itself drawn criticism after the franchise endured a poor season under his leadership last year, finishing eighth on the table.
This season, Kolkata struggled to find momentum early and had to wait until their seventh match to register their first victory. The side has looked unsettled for much of the tournament, with inconsistent team combinations and frequent batting-order changes affecting their rhythm.
A brief resurgence saw KKR put together four consecutive wins, beginning with their triumph over Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on April 19. However, that run came to an end against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where sloppy fielding and a commanding innings from Virat Kohli handed them defeat.
With only three league matches remaining, KKR can still reach a maximum of 15 points if they win all their games. Even then, qualification for the playoffs may depend heavily on other results going in their favour.
Another loss, however, would almost certainly end their campaign and could also trigger fresh debate over Rahane’s future with the franchise.
The backbone of KKR’s revival had been the return to form of spin duo Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, while vice-captain Rinku Singh also chipped in with important contributions in the middle order.
But Chakravarthy’s absence in the previous game against RCB due to a fractured left leg proved significant. There was encouraging news for KKR, though, as head coach Abhishek Nayar hinted that the mystery spinner could return for the crucial clash.
“We’re always excited to go back home. We have our fans there, and we’re looking forward to getting our strongest bowling attack back when Varun returns. We want to use the home conditions to our advantage,” Nayar had said after the six-wicket loss to RCB.
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KKR’s batting, meanwhile, has lacked consistency throughout the season. Former captain Sourav Ganguly also questioned the team management’s handling of Rinku Singh, saying at a recent event that the left-hander was batting “too low” in the order.
Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has emerged as one of the few positives for Kolkata, scoring 340 runs, including four half-centuries, at a strike rate of 139.44. Rinku, too, has made useful contributions with 286 runs at a strike rate of 148.95, along with two fifties.
The pair will once again shoulder much of the responsibility as KKR prepare for key home fixtures against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
In contrast, Gujarat Titans have looked one of the strongest and most balanced teams in the tournament under Shubman Gill’s captaincy. They arrive in Kolkata on the back of five consecutive wins and are level on points with table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
GT’s impressive run has largely been built on the strength of their bowling attack, which has peaked at the right stage of the competition.
Kagiso Rabada has delivered two Player-of-the-Match performances during the winning streak, while Jason Holder has also made decisive contributions. Rashid Khan, meanwhile, appears to have rediscovered the form that once made him one of the most feared T20 bowlers in the world.
Their potent bowling unit has complemented a formidable batting line-up led by captain Gill and the prolific Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan has once again enjoyed a remarkable season. After claiming the Orange Cap last year with 759 runs, the left-hander has already accumulated 501 runs this season and is only seven runs behind current leader Heinrich Klaasen. He has struck five half-centuries in his last six innings, including a hundred.
Gill has also been in excellent touch throughout the campaign, while Washington Sundar has quietly provided stability in the middle order.
The Titans will additionally hope England star Jos Buttler can rediscover his best form after a comparatively subdued season by his lofty standards.
With league-stage fixtures against KKR and Chennai Super Kings still to come, Gujarat Titans will be determined to secure a top-two finish and the added advantage it offers in the playoffs.
Eden Gardens has generally favoured bowlers this season, and KKR’s chances may depend heavily on Narine, Chakravarthy and Green striking early against Gujarat’s dangerous top order.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm.
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