Both Kolkata and Somerset found a place in the main draw of the Champions League after coming through the qualifiers, Somerset sailed through with two wins where as, Kolkata barely managed to stay alive on the basis of net run rate. In a re-match of the last qualifier, the two sides will look to open their account at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Hyderabad.
Owing to altogether different reasons, the two teams are not fielding a first choice eleven. Two of KKR’s key players are injured, Skipper Gautam Gambhir hasn’t fully recovered from the concussion he suffered in England and Eoin Morgan has missed out due to a shoulder problem. But, they still have fire power in the batting department with the likes of stand-in captain Jacques Kallis, Ryan ten Doeschate and Shakib al Hasan in the side.These overseas players form core of the Kolkata batting and they have to perform consistently. Despite a poor run with the bat Yusuf Pathan remains a threat for the opposition, if he fires Kolkata would be hard to beat.
Like their batting, the bowling attack is also full of match-winners; Brett Lee is still one of the best pacers in the shortest format, left armers Iqbal Abdulla and Shakib have the ability to put brakes on the scoring and all-rounders Kallis and Pathan are handy at any stage. All in all, Kolkata’s varied attack would be hard to get away on the slow and low Uppal surface.
The runners-up at the T20 County Championship, Somerset have so far impressed with an all-round display in spite of the fact that their key men are currently on national duty. Swashbuckling batsmen Craig Kieswetter and Joss Buttler are playing for England, although van der Merwe and Peter Trego seem to have lifted their game to make up for their absence. Once, Somerset field a full-strength side, they are going to be the team to beat.
Till then, all the replacements have to do their job like the stand-in skipper Alfonso who has led from the front by bowling superbly at the death. They have few others who can bowl including former India spinner Murali Kartik and der Merwe who bowled an outstanding last over against Kolkata in the qualifiers.
Both the teams would know that the match is no longer just a qualifier but two crucial points are on the line. Kolkata will have to put in an improved performance against Somerset if they want to earn two points.
Kolkata Squad: Brad Haddin (wk), Brett Lee, Iqbal Abdulla, Jacques Kallis (c), Jaidev Unadkat, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Manoj Tiwary, Manvinder Bisla (wk), Rajat Bhatia, Ryan ten Doeschate, Shakib al Hasan, Shami Ahmed, Shreevats Goswami, Yusuf Pathan
Somerset Squad: Adam Dibble, Alex Barrow, Alfonso Thomas (c), Arul Suppiah, Chris Jones, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Gemaal Hussain, George Dockrell, James Hildreth, Jos Buttler, Lewis Gregory, Max Waller, Murali Kartik, Nick Compton, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Steve Kirby, Steve Snell (wk)
© eContent.in
