Kolkata need a miracle to get through to the next round of CLT20
KKR need miracle to go next round of CLT20
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) slumped to third successive defeat in the Champions League T20 (CLT20) and their progress to the next round seems unlikely. When they got past the minimum score in their second qualifier, there were celebrations in the KKR camp. The loss to Somerset in that game hardly mattered as they had achieved qualification into the main draw of the CLT20. Amid this frenzy they seem to have ignored cracks in their set-up which have proved costly in their two games in the main draw.
In my article written a day after Kolkata’s qualifier against Somerset (KKR batsmen should learn their lessons from Doeschate), I had written about KKR’s inconsistent and instable batting. However, since then their inconsistency has permeated into their bowling, with the batting faring marginally better. The KKR bowlers who looked formidable against Auckland haven’t shown the same zing and penetration and have ended up conceding too many runs. The batting has improved from the qualifying stage, but a lot more needs to be done by them if the side has to become a consistent unit.
Gautam Gambhir’s return to competitive cricket is positive sign not just for Kolkata but also Indian cricket. Injuries have hampered his cricket since the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season four. The tour of England was an absolute nightmare as he picked up two freak injuries in the Test series which had a bearing on his form. The blow he received on the head was a cause of worry as it turned out to be a lot more serious than foreseen initially. Even though his two outings in the CLT20 haven’t been productive, it would give him the exposure to get back into rhythm before India’s packed winter schedule.
However, the decision to send Shakib Al Hasan ahead of Gambhir was questionable. The former Bangladesh skipper is known to be a good middle-order player, who can switch gears according to the situation. Promoting him in the order was a bit difficult to digest as Kolkata had lost an early wicket and needed a proper top order player to support Kallis in the huge run-chase. Gambhir may have had a first ball duck against Somerset, but it was freak dismissal – something that could have happened to any batsman. They should have sent him at No 3 as he is experienced at that position. When he walked out to bat against South Australia, he was positive and not struggling in his strokeplay. Perhaps, that same intent at No 3 would have worked for Kolkata. In the end, he lost his wicket in pursuit of upping the ante.
The other contentious decision was holding Ryan ten Doeschate back at No 5. In huge run chase, a player like ten Doeschate can play the anchor and also keep the score ticking. His performance in the qualifier against Somerset should have given the team management an indication of his good nick. When Gambhir lost his wicket with the score at 46, the Dutchman should have walked in instead of Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary may be a player of promise, but is yet to prove his credentials in T20 cricket.
When ten Doeschate walked in the 15th over, Kolkata were 102 for five with 87 to get from 35 balls. In this hopeless situation he managed to score 32 off just 16 balls and looked the best of the Kolkata batsmen. Kolkata missed the plot by keeping him for the end as he is the level headed player one needs in a crisis situation. Unfortunately for Kolkata, the crisis had turned into a desperate situation by the time he walked in.
Coming to the bowling, the Kolkata bowlers are guilty of allowing the top order to good starts. Even if they get an early wicket, they fail to stop a partnership from being constructed between the set opener and the number three batsman. Against Auckland, Martin Guptil ran himself out on the first ball but Kolkata couldn’t stop Lou Vincent from blazing away and building a good stand with Jimmy Adams. It was only when the slower bowlers came on that Kolkata took control of the game. In the second qualifier against Somerset, Kolkata picked up their first wicket in the fourth over but Peter Trego and Roeluf Van der Merwe took the English side to a strong position.
When Kolkata faced Somerset again in the main draw, they allowed the same pair to put up a partnership of over a hundred. Like the Auckland game, they struck back with quick wickets in the middle but Trego and van der Merwe had put the county side on course to a victory. In Kolkata’s latest game, the South Australian openers got off to quick starts and Callum Ferguson (batted at three) played a fantastic knock.
From these games it is evident that the Kolkata bowlers have struggled to dent the top order. They may have got an early wicket or two, but took their feet off the peddle and allowed the other side to make a strong recovery. The late fight back from the slow bowlers hasn’t been enough to prevent the other team from making merry. Brett Lee has failed to be economical whenever Kolkata have fielded first and that has affected their strategy with the new ball. After the Auckland game, Iqbal Abdullah hasn’t been effective. He has been expensive as well.
Kolkata have depth in their bowling and have enough back-up, even if one or two bowlers fail. But they simply haven’t picked up enough wickets to trouble the batting side and restrict their scoring rate.
At this stage, it looks as if Kolkata need a miracle to get through to the next round. The way things have panned out in both departments it seems to be a remote possibility. Dav Whatmore and Gambhir have a lot on their plate to discuss and sort out.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya, a 21-year-old law student, is a club and college-level cricketer. His teachers always complain, “He knows the stats and facts of cricket more than the subjects we teach him.)