Cricket Report - McCullum must fire for Kolkata
by Juris Graney
IF the last placed Kolkata Knight Riders (+135) are a chance of staying alive in this tournament then they are going to need a big win over the Mumbai Indians (-165) in the first leg of the double headers today.
Their chances though are slim as fourth placed Mumbai (P5/W2/L2/NR1) fight to maintain their momentum and a decent run into the vital top two spots.
Kolkata (P6/W1/L4/NR1) will need all their batsmen to fire including Kiwi captain, Brendon McCullum.
McCullum’s dismal tournament so far has yielded the right-hander just 26 runs from five innings at a paltry average of 5.20.
With a high score of 21 against Bangalore, it is easy to argue that McCullum has a serious case of the yips that needs to be resolved.
Considering Kolkata will lose the services of West Indies powerhouse Chris Gayle after this match, it really is a case of do or die made all the more difficult by Mumbai slinger Lasith Malinga throwing down his thunderbolt yorkers.
Kolkata however have Ishant Sharma who has the ability to take quick wickets and will need to if they want to prevent Mumbai’s Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuria from setting a formidable total or alternatively, from chasing down their own score.
In the other match, Kings XI Punjab (-150) should have the measure of Royal Challengers Bangalore (+120) in their match at Durban.
Sixth placed Royals (P6/W2/L4) lose the services of captain Kevin Pietersen who has returned to national duties while third placed Kings XI Punjab (P5/W3/L2) will be calling on their spinners like India’s Ramesh Powar to keep Royals batsmen in control on a Durban pitch that is starting to tire.
