Published: Jun 01, 2014, 07:31 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 01, 2014, 08:19 AM (IST)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) play Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 final on June 1. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is the setting for the eagerly awaited IPL 7 grand finale. The clash is between the two best teams in the IPL 7 group phase. Shrikant Shankar highlights the key battles in the final that would bring glory to either KKR or KXIP.
Robin Uthappa vs Sandeep Sharma
Robin Uthappa is likely to finish as the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 and get that Orange Cap. Such has been his form that he is expected to score the big runs in every match. In his last 10 innings, Uthappa has scored at least 40 and got to a half-century four times. On a batsman-friendly M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Uthappa will be relishing to get another big score and help KKR win their second IPL title in three years. Sandeep Sharma would be hoping that the law of averages strikes and Uthappa stutters in the big final. Sandeep has bowled the in-swinger to the right-handers well, and if Uthappa is slow on his feet early on, he could get struck on the pads or even bowled.
Gautam Gambhir vs Mitchell Johnson
KKR captain Gautam Gambhir’s form has tailed off as the tournament entered its business end. He hit a patch of good form in-between just as KKR began their eight-match winning run. Irrespective of Uthappa’s supreme form, Gambhir would have to step up to make it nine wins in-a-row to lift the coveted trophy. It will not be easy as he will most likely face Mitchell Johnson. The left-arm fast bowler has not had a great season in IPL 7, but can run through a batting line-up. Gambhir’s almost instinctive habit of poking at deliveries outside his off-stump could again lead to his downfall against Johnson, who will extract that extra bit of bounce and pace.
Yusuf Pathan vs Akshar Patel
Yusuf Pathan is sort of an enigma. His bludgeoning innings of 72 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) helped Kolkata get that second spot in the IPL 7 Points Table, but he has done nothing of great note before and after that innings. He did play only one more innings following the later scenario, but in a short ground in Bangalore, a cameo from Yusuf could be the difference between winning and losing. He has been part of two winning teams in IPL and that experience will help. Up against him will be left-arm spinner Akshar Patel. He has bowled well throughout IPL 7 and has been rewarded with an India call-up to tour Bangladesh. In KXIP’s match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Qualifier 2, Akshar conceded only 23 runs in four overs taking one wicket in a high-scoring match. If Yusuf tries to go berserk, Akshar can outfox him and get him out early.
Sunil Narine vs Glenn Maxwell
It would take a monumental effort from Sunil Narine to reclaim the Purple Cap in IPL 7. The mystery spinner has been surpassed by Mohit Sharma, who has 23 wickets to Narine’s 20. The West Indies spinner is expected to concede less, but taking four wickets could be a big task. He is capable of achieving the feat though. Narine, like in IPL 2012, has been one of the major reasons that KKR have marched into the final with their confidence sky-high. It’s because of him that Gambhir always elects to bat first at the toss. He will be tasked with taking the wicket of Glenn Maxwell. The Australian started IPL 2014 as if he would break the 1,000-run barrier, but his form has suffered a major dip over the last few innings. Although he does score quickly, the innings do not last long enough. Bowlers, especially spinners, have managed to find ways to get him out even if they will be hit for a couple of boundaries. Leg-spin has been one of Maxwell’s bane and Narine can be expected to bowl many deliveries that turn away from the right-hander. Maxwell has a small chance to pip Uthappa for the Orange Cap, but would need to score a century and hope the KKR batsman does not get many.
Piyush Chawla vs David Miller
Piyush Chawla has not featured in all the IPL 7 games for KKR, but his performance against KXIP in Qualifier 1 is good enough to merit a place in the XI for the final. Chawla bowled with a lot of variations and was miserly against the hard-hitting KXIP batsmen. He is a bowler who needs his confidence at an all-time high to get good performances. He bowled David Miller in the previous match with a quick leg-break. The left-handed Miller looked to cut and got castled. He would do better to score in the mid-wicket region, where his strength lies. If Miller gets going, it would be difficult for any bowler to contain him, let alone Chawla.
Morne Morkel vs Virender Sehwag
Last but definitely not the least, Morne Morkel’s task would be to get Virender Sehwag out as quickly as possible. There are many great T20 batsmen in the IPL, but Sehwag proved that there are few more destructive than him! The KXIP opener does not have a strike-rate like the other big-hitters in IPL 7, but no-one can demoralise entire bowling line-ups like he can. His aggressive cuts and slashes on the off side are a joy to watch for anyone, and it all came together against CSK in Qualifier 2. Sehwag’s 122 off 58 deliveries was as good, if not better, than any innings in IPL 2014. Morne will try to use his height and bounce Sehwag out. He can bowl that extra bit faster and Sehwag will have to be careful early one. If Sehwag manages to see off the initial phase, he is well capable of making it count later one.
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(Shrikant Shankar is a writer/reporter at CricketCountry.com. Previously he has done audio commentary for various matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20 for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23)
