Kolkata?s longest winning streak in the IPL is of six matches. This they pulled off in 2012 on their way to the title. This year, KKR have strung together a run of five wins. One more win will not only equal their record but also guarantee a spot in the playoffs. They opponents on Thursday, Royal Challengers Bangalore, are skating on thin ice, with 10 points from 12 matches. They are not mathematically out, but they will have to win both their remaining matches and hope other results too go in their favour.
Following a pattern
Kolkata?s last five wins have come batting second. It would be interesting to see how they approach their task if they?re asked to bat first. However, the way Robin Uthappa has been playing, they shouldn?t be too worried though. Uthappa is the top-scorer among the Indians in this IPL with 489 runs from 12 matches at a strike-rate of 133.97.
Team atmosphere
Jacques Kallis today popped in at a city mall for a promotional event. ?My focus is on the 2015 World Cup and this IPL gives me a perfect platform to prepare well,? he said. Kallis, however, is not getting games at the moment. But such has been their form that Kolkata haven?t missed their talismanic all-rounder.
Gayle force missing
Meanwhile, Chris Gayle?s indifferent form — 190 runs in eight matches at a strike-rate of 108.57 — is one of the reasons why Bangalore have been disappointing. Without the impetus that he so destructively provides early on in the innings, Bangalore are finding it difficult to take the attack to the opposition. They scored only 17 runs in the first six overs against Chennai Super Kings as Gayle was batting on six from 18 balls. In the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bangalore limped to 25 for two after six overs and Gayle was out for 14 off 20 balls.
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