What

The Kolkata Knight Riders will aim to stretch their winning streak to 13 matches when they take on the Dolphins in Match 18 of the Oppo CLT20 2014.

KKR, despite not playing their best cricket, became the first team to secure a semi-final berth after registering wins in their three matches. Unlike in the IPL when there was a method to KKR’s success, this time around they have had to rely on different players to bail them out in each of their three matches.

After three matches, the Dolphins are yet to open their account in the standings. The winners of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in South Africa had their moments in two of their three matches, but couldn’t quite nail it down when required. Mitchell Marsh’ two sixes robbed them at the post in their match against the Perth Scorchers, while Umar Akmal’s unbeaten 73 denied them points in their match against the Lahore Lions.

The result of this match will make no difference to the context of the competition. Yet both teams will be keen to finish on the right side of the result; for KKR a victory will mean retaining momentum and confidence heading into the semi-final, while a victory for the Dolphins will go a long way in reinforcing the belief that they can challenge the best.

When

Monday, September 29, 2014, 8 p.m IST

Where

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

The Protagonists

No team has cracked the formula to success in T20 cricket – and employed it – better than the Kolkata Knight Riders. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa have been pivotal contributors; apart from providing a solid platform through a partnership at the top, they have ensured one of them has batted deep into the second half of the innings. With plenty of big-hitters in the lineup, KKR have enough ammunition to force the issue in the death overs. Sunil Narine, despite all the aids available to batsmen these days, continues to bamboozle the batsmen. The addition of the young Kuldeep Yadav, whose chinamans and wrong ‘uns batsmen are finding hard to pick, has furthered bolstered the KKR bowling lineup.

Just like with KKR, the Dolphins too rely a lot on their openers – Cameron Delport and skipper Morne van Wyk, for they are among the team’s best batsmen. With a batting strike-rate of 144, the left-handed Delport is capable of causing plenty of damage, as was evident in his 17-ball 34 against the Chennai Super Kings. van Wyk too is an established stroke-maker and has given glimpses of how dangerous he can be. Robbie Frylinck, who lit up the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, will be keen to further establish his credentials as a handy all-rounder.

Previous Meetings

There is no history of previous clashes between these two teams.

Trivia

The Kolkata Knight Riders have had to chase down targets in each of their three matches so far this season.

The team chasing has emerged victorious in each of the four Oppo CLT20 2014 matches played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

What Next

Both teams complete their group stage assignments with this fixture. The Kolkata Knight Riders’ next appearance will be in the semi-final on October 2, while the Dolphins will fly back home, with the hope of returning to participate in the next edition of the CLT20.

Courtesy: CLT20