Kolkata Knight Riders take on Kings XI Punjab in the first qualifier at the Eden Gardens in a bid for a direct entry into the final of the Indian Premier League. Catch all the live updates here...
Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab clash in the first Qualifier of the Indian Premier League after their match was postponed by a day due to rain. Catch all the live updates here (Scorecard | Commentary | Schedule):
HOW RAIN CAN PLAY SPOILSPORT
A depression over the Bay of Bengal may be a meteorological condition but it can have a deep impact on cricket - and on Kolkata Knight Riders in particular. After a whirlwind performance to book a berth in the Indian Premier League qualifiers, there is now a possibility that incessant rain may wash away their dreams of a direct entry into the final.
Kolkata were scheduled to play table-toppers Kings XI Punjab in the first IPL qualifier at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Relentless rains though forced the match to be postponed to the reserve day - Wednesday at 1600 hrs IST. According to the Indian Meteorological Department though, dark clouds are likely to remain over Kolkata - a dismal sign for fans of the 2012 champions. If Wednesday's play is washed out as well, Kings XI Punjab will enter the final owing to a better run-rate, as per rule 21.10 (b) of the IPL Playing Conditions. However, if there is scope, a Super Over would decide the victors and the 'said match' can be played as late as 2032 hrs IST. (Read full story)
PREVIEW
Those who believe that momentum plays a big part in deciding who has the edge in an encounter will without a doubt back Kolkata in the first qualifier. They have 7 wins on the trot, which is their longest winning streak ever in the Indian Premier League.
Club that with possibly the most brutal innings of this season. Yusuf Pathan's incredible 22 ball 72, with 5 fours and 7 sixes. A dream knock for a power-hitter that made sure Kolkata finished in the top 2.
In a way Pathan's knock echoed the belief and confidence of the entire KKR unit. No wonder then that Robin Uthappa said after the win over Hyderabad, "There was a tremendous belief in the side that we could do it."
KKR are the only team in the competition who have directly knocked out two teams, namely Bangalore and Hyderabad. In the process they have made sure that their fans across the country now believe that they can go all the way. (Read Full Preview)
AWANA EYES ENGLAND TOUR
Kings XI Punjab pacer Parvinder Awana has set his sights on the upcoming tour of England to make a comeback into the Indian cricket team.
The 27-year-old Awana, who has played for India in two T20s, has impressed KXIP bowling coach Joe Dawes, who is hoping that the bowler gets back into the national team.
"I am very much eyeing the England tour. In fact, only last night, I was jokingly telling Joe Dawes that we have three matches left in this IPL and let me play all of them. I'll take five wickets in each game and book a seat on that plane for England," Awana said. (Read Full Story)
YUSUF'S KNOCK PAYS DIVIDENDS
A Yusuf Pathan blitzkrieg of 22-ball 72 powered Kolkata Knight Riders to the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League as they humbled Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets on Saturday. Yusuf got his 15th Man of the Match award in Twenty20s. His tally of 14 MoM awards in the IPL is bettered only by Chris Gayle - 15.
Yusuf took only 15 balls to score the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League. He has surpassed the feats of Adam Gilchrist (85 off 35 balls vs Delhi at Centurion on May 22, 2009) and Chris Gayle (175 off 66 balls vs Pune at Bangalore on April 23, 2013). Both had taken 17 balls to reach their respective fifties.
In the process, Yusuf became the 17th player to complete his 2,000 runs in the IPL - his tally being 2032 (ave.26.73) in 104 matches. Yusuf's strike rate of 327.27 (72 off 22 balls) is the highest by a batsman in the history of the IPL (minimum fifty). (Read Full Story)
Story first published on: Wednesday, 28 May 2014 12:18
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