Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most consistent franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Only twice in the last seven years have they failed to qualify for the play-offs. They have two titles in that time.
But there is an air of uncertainty around them this year. When they face Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, a defeat will put them in danger of missing out on a top-four slot.
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They have been infuriatingly inconsistent, characterised by their last two matches.
Against Royal Challengers Bangalore they won by six wickets, having bowled well to restrict a star-studded batting line-up to 174.
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Then then held their nerve in the chase, as they most often do. But previously they were caned by Delhi Daredevils, the basket cases of the league.
They conceded a massive 219, barely able to land it on the strip in the death overs. It is that sort of effort which has their supporters reaching for the rescue remedy.
Their first meeting with Chennai was the warning that all was not well. They had batted well, reaching 202. It looked as though they would begin their campaign with two crushing wins, having easily despatched Bangalore.
Then their bowling was exposed. They could not get a grip on the game. And that has been the problem since.
Kolkata are hugely reliant on spin. Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla are excellent individuals. But its not been coming together collectively.
And they are desperately short on pace bowlers of repute following Mitchell Starcs early withdrawal.
Chennai are pretty good players of spin – there are no wiser heads than Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni – and it may be a surprise to so some to see the leaders as big as even money with Skybet.
Kolkata are even money with Bet365. Were not sure why the layers are struggling to separate them. Super Kings should be clear favourites.
Raina is 7-2 with Bet365 for top Chennai runscorer honours with Dhoni 13-2 with the same firm. Ambati Rayudu, who could top the charts for the whole tournament, is 7-2 with Betfair Sportsbook.
More: Cricket
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Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most consistent franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Only twice in the last seven years have they failed to qualify for the play-offs. They have two titles in that time.
But there is an air of uncertainty around them this year. When they face Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, a defeat will put them in danger of missing out on a top-four slot.
More: Cricket
They have been infuriatingly inconsistent, characterised by their last two matches.
Against Royal Challengers Bangalore they won by six wickets, having bowled well to restrict a star-studded batting line-up to 174.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Then then held their nerve in the chase, as they most often do. But previously they were caned by Delhi Daredevils, the basket cases of the league.
They conceded a massive 219, barely able to land it on the strip in the death overs. It is that sort of effort which has their supporters reaching for the rescue remedy.
Their first meeting with Chennai was the warning that all was not well. They had batted well, reaching 202. It looked as though they would begin their campaign with two crushing wins, having easily despatched Bangalore.
Then their bowling was exposed. They could not get a grip on the game. And that has been the problem since.
Kolkata are hugely reliant on spin. Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla are excellent individuals. But its not been coming together collectively.
And they are desperately short on pace bowlers of repute following Mitchell Starcs early withdrawal.
Chennai are pretty good players of spin – there are no wiser heads than Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni – and it may be a surprise to so some to see the leaders as big as even money with Skybet.
Kolkata are even money with Bet365. Were not sure why the layers are struggling to separate them. Super Kings should be clear favourites.
Raina is 7-2 with Bet365 for top Chennai runscorer honours with Dhoni 13-2 with the same firm. Ambati Rayudu, who could top the charts for the whole tournament, is 7-2 with Betfair Sportsbook.
More: Cricket
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