IPL 10, Match 3, GL v KKR: Kolkata Knight Riders Player Ratings

When Gujarat Lions were batting, I thought Raina did well to play according to the situation, bringing an initially slow but then an accelerated fifty. But towards the end of the match, I think the slow start was among the factors that cost GL the game.  From the team selection, to the bowling changes, to the field settings to the bowling performance itself, it was all wrong for GL today.

The Kolkata Knight Riders won their first match of the season by a colossal 10 wickets with 31 balls to spare, and what a day it was for Captain Gambhir and Chris Lynn(sane).  The ratings and not to forget, your fantasy league squad for today don’t have much scope for discourse because the KKR batting line-up did not even have to pad up, apart from these two openers. This was the first win for KKR against GL in the three encounters they have had. And, it was KKR’s first ever 10 wicket win in the IPL. 184 was the highest total chased down without losing a wicket in all T20s.

Gautam Gambhir- 9/10

Excellent captaincy, wise team selection and a display of brilliance with the bat, himself. Being one of the best players of spin, he tackled the already-average-looking GL bowlers with so much ease, that it was no doubt that the highest partnership for KKR was bound to make way today. So, 76 off 48 is a good way to begin for GG.

Moreover, most may have perceived sending Lynn up the order for as a gamble, but it was indeed a brilliant move, not just because it worked but because he exploited the power play brilliantly. He rotated the strike when necessary, keeping in mind that he is the one who should be taking on the spinners while Lynn can handle the pacers. So, credit to that and his intent.

Chris Lynn- 9.5/10

Lynn-sanity was expected by the Twitteratti, but for him to continue his form from the BBL to the IPL in this fashion was beyond amazing. The way Lynn started took a lot of pressure off Gambhir is noteworthy too. Though his weakness against spin was slightly exposed and was mainly cautious when facing them, his show was nevertheless a brilliant one.

8 sixes. 6 boundaries. A strike rate of 226.83. The night was Lynn’s!

Robin Uthappa- 3/10

Since the Team did not require him to bat today, we missed out on some Robbie-class. But, it was decent wicket keeping on his part so 3 points for that. That’s the only performance we can rate him on.

Manish Pandey –  2/10

Decent fielding, no other contribution required today, so the standard points for that.

Yusuf Pathan- 2.5/10

He rolled his arm over for 1 over but and conceded 15 runs in it. He was also part of Raina’s luck-filled innings when he was unable to hold on to his catch in the 16^th over. Though, he did well to hold on to Jason Roy’s catch, so point for that.

Suryakumar Yadav- 3/10

Again, didn’t require any contribution with the bat so he gets points for his brilliant catch to dismiss Aaron Finch and another for taking on Dinesh Karthik.

Chris Woakes- 2.5/10

The first ever match for him hardly had anything for him in store. Did not have to bat, and was pretty ordinary with the ball. Infact, expensive with 35 runs conceded and no wicket taken in 3 overs. Though it’s unlikely that he’ll be benched so soon after the moolah spent on him, he’ll have to up his game for the next matches or he could lose his spot to Shakib or CDG, for that matter.

P.S.- Missing Russell, yet?

Piyush Chawla- 4/10

GG’s most reliable spinner is bound to take a wicket, atleast. Though he wasn’t economical, he took the wicket of Jason Roy, not allowing the opening partnership for GL settle, so that’s good. Otherwise, I’m slightly skeptical of the 33 runs conceded in 4 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav- 6/10

I’m not using the ‘C’ word for him ever again, don’t worry. He has taken the confidence from the Dharamshala Test match and made way for a good bowling performance in the opening match of KKR. His figures read 4-0-25-2. Just 25 runs conceded in the 4 overs, he was the most miserly among the lot.

He took the wickets of well-set McCullum and dangerous-if-set Finch, big wickets, so brownie points for that.

Sunil Narine- 2.5/10

Too big a name to sit out but I think, GG may fancy Shakib over Narine for a few matches. Today, he was pretty harmless too. He has the same economy as Piyush Chawla, the same number of overs and the same number of runs conceded, but the difference is Chawla took a wicket. So, very mediocre from Narine today.

Trent Boult- 4/10

His first match for his new franchise, was pretty dilly dally. The lone wicket of Dinesh Karthik, after a very costly over made up for it. But, he needs to justify his price tag, and it wasn’t very obvious today. Needs to up his ante or Coulter-Nile could be coming in.

However, a stunning, gravity-defying save from Boult was one of the picturesque moments, so credit to him for that.