Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers: Preview and Live Score

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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers: Live Score and Updates

After the enthralling victory of the opening match Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders is now on a new height. Now, Kolkata Knight Riders is gearing up to replicate their first match form in the second match against Deccan Chargers tomorrow. This is going to be the first home match for Kolkata Knight Riders, while for Deccan Chargers is going to begin their Indian Premier League 2008 campaign tomorrow. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers match kicks off at 16:00 local (10:30 GMT) at the Eden Gardens stadium, Kolkata.

Though it is a bit hard to say who are goring to win the match, it is, for sure, that there will be huge interest among the supports of Kolkata about this match and it is expected that the match will experience the presence of a huge crowd at Eden Gardens tomorrow. Excitement exists among the fans of Hyderabad based Deccan Chargers as well. This is their first match in IPL 2008. So, fans expect a happy beginning of Deccan Chargers in the tournament, which is very possible considering the talented and world class players of their squad.

Both teams have some world class players besides some potential and experienced local cricketers. You know that as per the rules of Indian premier league (IPL) a team can include only four foreign cricketers in its final XI. So, at least, seven Indian players have to be in the starting line up of all the teams. So, you can understand that Indian local cricketers also have a great part to play for their teams.

For Kolkata Knight Riders, they have some world class batsmen in the squad. Brendon McCullum is now under the spotlight after his spirited blistering innings of 158 in the opening match, which is now the highest Twetny20 innings. Because of his aggressive batting, no other Kolkata batsmen needed to contribute that much in the opening match. Thus, the second highest score in that match for Kolkata Knight Riders was 20, which came from Ricky Ponting. However, the batting depth of Kolkata Knight Riders is formidable with the presence of David Hussey, Ricky Ponting, Captain Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle. I am not sure, if Pakistani opener Salman Butt will be available for tomorrow’s match as his international duty with Pakistan has completed today with the end of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh ODI series. However, Chris Gayle will miss the second match of Kolkata Knight Riders as well because he is yet to reach India and the batsman is now suffering from groin injury as well.

After his blistering knock against Bangalore Royal Challengers, it is sure that Brendon McCullum will be there to keep the wicket and open for Kolkata Knight Riders. That means, wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu’s debut in IPL will be delayed. Kolkata has some effective all rounders as well. Mohammad Hafeez, Ajit Agarkar and Laxmi Ratan Shukla can contribute with both bat and bowl.

In the first match, Kolkata Knight Riders played four foreign batsmen: David Hussey, Ricky Ponting, Brendon McCullum and Mohammad Hafeez, who did not need to bowl in the first match even though his offbreak spin is always effective. So, Kolkata played an all Indian bowling attack in the first match. What is interesting is that Kolkata did not play any specialist spinner in the fist match and captain Ganguly did not use any spinner in their triumph over Bangalore Royal Challengers. Actually, Kolkata squad includes one notable spinner, Murali Kartik. I am not so sure if Kolkata plays him tomorrow or stick to all-pace bowling attack. Ishant Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Ashok Dinda were in the first match bowling line up of Kolkata Knight Riders. I am not yet sure, if Pakistani pacer Umar Gul will be available for Kolkata as his duty with Pakistan national team ended today. So, Kolkata has a number of talented bowlers besides some world class batsmen.

Indiatimes reported:

Apart from missing banned Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar and two other Pakistanis pacer Umar Gul and left-hand batsman Salman Butt the Knight Riders would also have to do without hard-hitting West Indian captain Chris Gayle, who has been ruled out for a fortnight with a groin strain.

Gul and Butt are slated to join the side after the ODI series against Bangladesh.

For Deccan Chargers it is a bit hard to guess the starting line up as the club is yet to play its first match in the tournament. However, one player will definitely remain under the spotlight. He is none other than Australian hard hitter, Adrew Symonds, one of the biggest stars of this tournament. This all rounder can also contribute Deccan Chargers with his bowling too.

I think, batting is the main strength of Deccan Chargers. Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Shahid Afridi, Herschelle Gibbs- these four batsmen are enough to present a nightmare to any bowling sides in the world. All of them are big hitters and constant threat for all opponent bowlers. Now, add the names- Rohit Sharma, Chamara Silva and Captain V.V.S. Laxman. Do you disagree that it is not a world class batting line up? I know that Laxman does not have huge experience in Twenty20 cricket but, overall he is an experienced cricketer and a proven performer.

As for bowling, I think, they do not have any big stars, but have a balanced attack. Spearheaded by Chaminda Vaas, Deccan Chargers has Nuwan Zoysa and Rudra Pratap Singh in its pace attack. All rounder Scott Styris can play a big part with both ball and bat, if he is given the chance. The squad includes off spinner Venugopal Rao as the leading spinner. Local left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha along with Shahid Afridi can build an effect spin attack as well. Remember that, Afridi was one of the best bowlers of ICC Twetny20 world championship last year. However, Afridi is not yet confirmed for the match as he is still in Pakistan on international duty with Pakistan national side.

Thaindian reported:

But Kolkata fans can expect fireworks from Deccan Chargers as well, as the Hyderabad team has some of the best strokemakers in the game - Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Scott Styris, Chamara Silva. It can’t get more exciting if one if these players gets going.

Then there is Rohit Sharma who has made a mark in international cricket riding on his good showing in the T20 World Cup.

The bowling attack of Chargers also looks impressive with veteran Chaminda Vaas, R.P. Singh and Nuwan Zoysa.

Actually, both the sides are too strong to pick up a favorite in the match. Both sides have no real threat from spin attack, but have some quality pacers, besides a world class batting line up. It seems that the strong and weak points of both sides are same. I think that team selection would play a big role in the match because I mentioned earlier that only four foreign players can be taken in the starting XI of a match.

Whoever wins the match, I am expecting a classic match at the Eden Gardens tomorrow with some of the world’s best hitters will be there in the match. Bengal fans will be happy to see Kolkata Knight Riders replicating their first match form in their second match as well, while Deccan Chargers are expecting a good start of their favorite team in the tournament.

The match will be shown live in different television channels throughout the world. However, for those who will not be able to stick to the television to enjoy the match can go though some online live score sites to know the latest updates of the match. Here are some links of online live score websites:

Cricinfo

Thetwenty20cup

Cricketnext

Cricket.sulekha

indianpremierleagues

stickcricket

cricpoint

cricbuzz

indvsauslivescore

squidoo

Sify

cricketworld

sports.yahoo

Related articles:

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad

Deccan Chargers Squad