Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Chennai Super Kings: Batsmen to watch for - Part 1
The two strongest contenders of the Indian Premier League season four crown, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, are all set to face each other in the 48th game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, May 7.
Bettor.com takes a glance at the key batting personas of the two dynamic teams.
Kolkata Knight Riders have a fantastic batting line-up including Jacques Kallis, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623, Yusuf Pathan and Manoj Tiwary.
Jacques Kallis
The South African player is arguably one of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket. With massive international experience under his belt, Kallis holds a cool and calm personality which helps him perform well under pressure.
The right-hander has been batting at the opening slot for Kolkata in this season and is maintaining a very good form. His sound technique and judicious temperament, Kallis is a delightful batsman to watch.
The 35-year-old player, who was the second highest run-getter in the last IPL edition, has amassed 2253 runs in his 76 T20 games. A veteran campaigner with a knack of winning the game single-handedly, Kallis will be a key Kolkata player in the crucial game
against CSK.
Gautam Gambhir
After his consistently exceptional performance throughout the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011, Gautam Gambhir has been trying hard to prove his worth in the IPL not only as a player but also as the leader of the side.
With his extraordinary batting talent and meticulous stroke play, Gambhir is one of the best Indian players in the ongoing competition. One can judge his ability to perform on big occasions by his fantastic knock of 97 in the World Cup final against Sri
Lanka, which eventually helped his side to seal an emphatic victory in the showpiece event.
The highest priced player in the IPL season four auctions, the stylish Indian batsman is known for his marvellous footwork against both spin and pace. His ability to fight until the last ball of the game has brought Gambhir among the top cricketers in the
World.
In his 81 T20 matches, the classy left-hander has scored over 2133 runs at a fabulous strike rate of 122.51.
Yusuf Pathan
A blistering and hard-hitting batsman who treats bowlers with absolutely no respect, Pathan is a true match-winner in the Knight Riders’ batting line-up. The aggressive right-hander was a part of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals’ set-up in the inaugural edition of IPL where
he hit a thrilling 21-ball half-century.
During the just concluded mega event, each time he was given a chance to represent his country, Pathan chipped in with a reasonable performance.
The Indian low-order batsman has played 83 T20 games in which he scored 1665 runs at a spectacular strike rate of 162.75. His capability to turn the game within a short time, Pathan will be a dangerous player for Chennai’s bowling attack.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Manoj-Tiwary-c1890
Although, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Knight-c71599 Riders have a star-studded batting line-up, the young Tiwary is the vital cog of Kolkata’s batting set-up. The stunning right-hander is in a fine form as he has been batting destructively in the league matches.
Tiwary, who has represented the Indian national side in a One Day International, is fully capable of stabilising the innings and hitting the ball for massive sixes in the final few overs.
In 54 T20 games, Tiwary has scored 1252 runs at a splendid strike rate of over 120. His explosive batting style and power-hitting, Tiwary will be a definite player to watch out for.
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