As IPL-IV enters the crucial phase Chennai Super Kings is beginning to peak gradually. Having won all its home games so far, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team will have to prove its efficacy outside the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. And the chance to do that and to take a big step in qualifying for the knockout stage will be presented on Saturday at the Eden Gardens.
And its opponent will be an inconsistent Kolkata Knight Riders. After losing to Kochi Tuskers Kerala from a winning position at Kochi on Thursday, the Gautam Gambhir-led KKR will be searching for right answers to avenge the loss of its opening match of the tournament at Chennai.
Gambhir can perhaps take solace from the fact that CSK has not been doing well away from home, losing three of the four games this season.
The victory against Pune Warriors was the lone success and that too against a team which is now almost out of contention for a knockout place.
KKR will come hard at CSK, for two more victories will surely ensure it a clear passage to the play-off stage.
The home side has won a couple of matches with great authority and lost a few in similar fashion.
Out of the four games — two home and as many away — KKR will like to win on the morrow before travelling to Bangalore to play Royal Challengers.
Similarly, CSK will like to win the game before travelling to Jaipur to play Rajasthan Royals, whose home record is quite impressive, if not as impressive as CSK.
The best part of the CSK armoury is the form the top four batsmen have been displaying in recent times, especially the two left-handers Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina. Then there is S. Badrinath.
Three top class spinners in R. Ashwin, Sahadab Jakati and Suraj Randiv have been proving to be the team's backbone in attack. Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel can be depended upon with the pace attack. CSK is a team that has very good domestic players and effective foreign players.
And skipper Dhoni has more talent to choose from to suit the needs of the team according to the pitch and weather conditions.
The KKR team management has been touting the batting line-up as one of the best. After 10 games, it is clear that there is only one batsman in Yusuf Pathan who can tear apart any attack, but not under pressure. Starting with Jacques Kallis, Eoin Morgan, Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary, the top four can always be contained but not Pathan.
The record, however, clearly points to an ineffective Pathan under pressure that is while chasing. And his captain has the penchant for batting second whenever he won the toss.
If Dhoni is clear in his mind as to what to expect from his team, Gambhir is not as clear. He has failed to utilise the experience of Kallis as a bowler, he completely ignored Jaidev Unadkat in one match and brought on his most effective left-arm spinner, Iqbal Abdulla as late as the 17th over.
Above all, Gambhir needs to bat longer to carry the team on his shoulders, especially chasing a big total. The costliest player of this season holds the key to the team's success. Will he deliver?
