Kolkata Knight Riders will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing Super Over loss against Rajasthan Royals, when they face runners-up Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
Knight Riders came close to winning Thursday but it was the brilliance of Kamran Khan and Yusuf Pathan, who turned the match in the favour of defending champions Rajasthan Royals.
Knight Riders have just one victory in three matches and are lying in the seventh spot in the eight-team league.
Last year’s runner-up Super Kings also have one win in three matches and will be desperately looking for two full points against Knight Riders at the Newlands.
Though their batting has looked good, Super Kings’ problem has been their bowling, especially at the death. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have to do some work to sort out his team’s bowling.
The onus once again will be on batsmen Matthew Hayden and Dhoni to put the runs on the board for Super Kings. The absence of England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be a blow for the Chennai team. Flintoff has been ruled out of the IPL and will fly back home for surgery of a knee injury.
For Knight Riders, skipper Brendon McCullum is yet to shine with the bat and the focus will be on him to give a good start along with Chris Gayle, who has been in terrific touch.
Sourav Ganguly, who came close to winning the match against Royals with a defiant knock, will be eager to prove himself again. Ganguly also played a crucial role with the ball against Kings XI Punjab.
