As the Kolkata Knight Riders take on familiar rivals, the Chennai Super Kings, they face a crisis – their most important player, around whom their bowling revolved, Sunil Narine has been reported for a faulty bowling action. This could potentially get him a permanent ban from the IPL, which would deal a devastating blow to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders.
Captain Gautam Gambhir was understandably concerned, saying: “It is unsettling and disturbing, but we do not have a choice, we have to deal with the issue. The attack has always revolved around him, but if we do not play him, we will have to wait and see what can be done. We’ve got enough spinners to trouble anyone.”
The points table is interesting, because Chennai Super Kings have won five out of 6 matches and stand second, while KKR, who have won just 3 matches so far, stand a spot lower at third. However, it is debatable if KKR can leapfrog the CSK, because of the cloud over their main bowler, Sunil Narine.
Narine has not exactly set the IPL on fire this season, as he has for the past several IPLs, having failed to take even a single wicket so far. But he has been able to stop the flow of runs and his economy rate is a very decent 7.35, which is excellent in the IPL, where batsman are known to make hay and bowlers clearly end up as second best.
Not having Narine in the side would mean that the Knight Riders will have a problem controlling the middle overs. Narine has always been captain Gambhir’s go to bowler during this phase of the game.
However, KKR does not lack in the pace department, and their fast bowling attack, comprising of Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel and Andre Russell is perhaps one of the best in the IPL. They have been on song throughout the competition and are expected to do their bit to negate Narine’s possible absence.
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have had a terrific tournament so far and in Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith, they have the best opening partnership in the IPL. Both players are doing well on a consistent basis and so far, there has never been an occasion this season when both have been dismissed cheaply.
This run of consistency from the opening pair has ensured that the Chennai team has always got off to a great start, in all the matches played so far, with the top two building a foundation for the powerful middle order comprising of Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, captain M S Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja to take full advantage of.
The Chennai bowling has been surprisingly good, considering that their attack is led by a has-been in international cricket, Ashish Nehra, who has been playing for over a decade and a half now.
Main spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t been among the wickets, but controlled the run rate. Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, has been a disaster, not taking wickets and going for over 10 an over in each of the matches he has played so far. Dhoni would expect an improvement from him.
An exciting match looks to be in prospect. Chennai Super Kings would be the favorites considering the match will be played at their home ground, the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
Watch the Chennai Super Kings take on the Kolkata Knight Riders live on Sony Six tonight at 8:00 PM!
