13 April,2017 10:20 AM IST | | Arup Chatterjee
Wankhede woes have blown away the euphoria Kolkata Knight Riders would have felt following the dream launch to their IPL-10 campaign
KKRu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0088skipper Gautam Gambhir
KKRâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088skipper Gautam Gambhir
Kolkata: Wankhede woes have blown away the euphoria Kolkata Knight Riders would have felt following the dream launch to their IPL-10 campaign. It's not the homecoming Gautam Gambhir and his men had hoped for, the uneasiness before their first match at the Eden Gardens heightened by opponents who are on a roll.
Glenn Maxwell's Kings XI Punjab have not just won their two matches but done it with a swagger that's ominous. The Knights have been left to pick up the pieces.
Mental setback
Having crushed Gujarat Lions in their den, KKR slumped to a demoralising defeat to Mumbai Indians on Sunday when Rohit Sharma's men made a mockery of an 'impossible' asking rate in the final overs.
"It (loss to MI) is a little (mental) setback. We were in control till the 36th over. It was KKRâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088losing the match than Mumbai Indians winning it. Having said that, it had got tougher for the bowlers with the dew," said KKRâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088head coach Jacques Kallis.
The loss was more telling because they lost the services of Chris Lynn. The 27-year-old Aussie, who aggravated a shoulder injury while fielding, was the chief demolisher in the 10-wicket mauling of the Lions and also did enough in Mumbai to suggest the two-time champions had added another lethal string to their bow. Though he is out of today's game, he still may play a role in the coming days.
Lynn's injury not so bad
"Lynn's injury is not as bad as we thought it was. Our medical staff is working overtime to get him ready as quickly as possible. There is a good chance he will still play a role in this season. Though we are not going to rush him," added Kallis.
Amidst the whiff of disappointment and disarray, KKR have been bolstered by couple of crucial comebacks to the squad, pacer Umesh Yadav having recovered from a sore back and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan having completed national duties. KKR's accent on spin will acquire a more strident note but the wicket being prepared looks a far cry from the turners of the past.
