A little over a week from the World Cup final and a little less than 7 hours to go for the inaugural match of the new IPL season, as reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders takes on Mumbai Indians at their home turf, Eden Gardens. A less than impressive opening ceremony and intermittent showers in the ' City of Joy' has dampened the festive mood somewhat, but once the action begins, its entertainment guaranteed.
All the attention will be on Sunil Narine, as he was finally cleared to bowl much to the Kolkata franchisee's relief a few days ago.Two championship in three seasons since Narine was recruited into the team is proof enough to ascertain the mystery spinner's value to the team. However, with a remodelled bowling action, it remains to be seen whether he can be as effective as before.
The other spinners are expected to benefit form a traditional slow paced surface, with quality bowlers on either side. Shakib Al Hasan will be looking to continue his exploits from last season in the two matches he gets to play before International commitments take over.One can also expect one amongst the three Indian spinners - Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav and the new kid on the block KC Cariappa - to play. Mumbai Indians have their own Indian presence in the spin department with both Harbajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha set to feature.The turbanator might not be as dangerous as before but will call on his experience to bowl some tight overs while Ojha coming back into the team in which he played a crucial role in the 2013 title winning campaign, looks set to benefit from the slow turner.
Rohit Sharma will be hoping to mark his return to Eden for the first time since his World record 264 against Sri Lanka last year, with a good knock in the middle order. Opting for both Finch and Simmons could provide a toss up between Anderson and Pollard for the final overseas spot. With a splendid World cup form behind him, the Kiwi will get the nod no doubt. Ambati Rayadu and Parthiv Patel will look to steady the innings while the swashbucklers try to pace the score.Malinga, though patchy is indispensable. Vinay Kumar has some good domestic form under his belt, but he has been inconsistent in the previous IPL seasons.
Robin Uthappa had a dream run in the IPL last season finishing with the Orange cap as top scorer.The 13 match unbeaten run culminating in the title was pretty much thanks to some good starts given by the Karnataka batsman. He has been in fine form in the Ranji trophy as well. With no front line overseas batsmen in their ranks, he is once again expected to be the aggressor. Gambhir, Manish Pandey and the indifferent Yusuf Pathan complete the top 4 for KKR. The ever dependable Shakib Al Hasan and Andre Russel provides the ideal balance for T20 format.Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav heads the pace battery but no doubt, its spin which will decide matters, unless rain plays spoilsport.
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