IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals opt to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2018 Eliminator at Eden Gardens here on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see whether K Gowtham opens the bowling because while Chris Lynn is known to struggle against spin, Sunil Narine would fancy his chances against a slower bowler in the Power Play. (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2018 Eliminator, highlights)
Both teams retained the same 11 from the last game and Rahane explained his decision to bowl first citing the fact that teams chasing tend to do well here. (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2018 Eliminator - scorecard)
The Eden was emptier than usual at toss time but that is possibly because this is a midweek clash and the stands would fill up as the evening blends into night. KKR would want the proverbial 12th man to back them as it has throughout this season. KKR have won five of the six matches against RR at Eden and given that it is only winners-take-all games from here, the men in purple would need all the support they can get. “Looking forward to some good energy from them today,” said KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik.
The point of playing at home was made by KKR assistant-coach Simon Katich at a media interaction here on Tuesday. Katich said it feels good to be playing the eliminator at a venue where they have played seven games already. But that said this is a different game with the possibility of a different outcome.
Having needed a combination of results to go their way even after they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), RR could feel they have nothing to lose and that is a situation when teams become very dangerous. Without Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes and with skipper Ajinkya Rahane not really getting his bat to do the talking, the formbook would favour KKR but given that this is T20, there really are no favourites.
A lot of attention would be on the Eden wicket which because this is a neutral game. There could be some moisture given that there has been some rain over the past few days. It was under covers all of Tuesday because neither team could train. “It does look a little damp because of the rain yesterday,” said Rahane at the toss.
But it is unlikely to be anything but a good batting track with something in it for pace bowlers and the possibility of some spin. Just what the doctor ordered for an even contest.