Trophy Chase Countdown Begins: Can KKR-Punjab and Rajasthan Bounce Back in the Second Phase of IPL-14!
The second phase of IPL 2021 (IPL) will start from September 19 in UAE
The second phase of IPL 2021 (IPL) is going to start in UAE from September 19. In the first phase of the IPL, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have done well. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings have been struggling to maintain their position this season. In the IPL points table, Rajasthan is 5th, Punjab is 6th and Kolkata is 7th. They have to win at least 5 matches to enter the knockout. Teams from Rajasthan and Kolkata have failed to make it to the last two IPL playoffs while Punjab last made it to 2014.
Increased trouble for Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals have won 3 of 7 matches in the first phase while they have lost 4. However, the Rajasthan Royals' troubles have only increased. The team's fast bowler Joffra Archer is out with an injury and Jose Butler will not be available for selection in the second phase due to personal reasons. Not only that, Rajasthan Royals' star all-rounder Ben Stokes has also taken a break from playing in all formats of cricket as a result of mental health.
Butler has been replaced by New Zealand's Glenn Phillips. Apart from this, the team has also added South African left-handed spinner Tabarez Shamsi to the squad. Shamsi is currently the number one bowler in the T-20 rankings. At the same time, Evin Lewis, the explosive batsman who has scored the most runs in CPL-2021, has also joined Rajasthan.
Captain Sanju Sams scored the most 277 runs for Rajasthan in the first phase. The team will have high hopes for him. Chris Morris, the most expensive player in IPL-2021, has taken 14 wickets in 7 matches. Apart from these players, the team will expect an aggressive innings from England's Liam Livingstone, who has batted tremendously in 'The Hundred'.
KL Rahul will handle the responsibility of Punjab
Rahul has been performing tremendously in the IPL for the last four years. The batsman has scored 2253 runs in the last 49 matches. In the meantime, the batsman has scored 2 centuries and 21 fifties. Rahul has also scored 331 runs in the first phase with the help of four fifties. However, with the exception of Rahul, Punjab's batting is very weak.
Mayank Agarwal needed runs but no consistency was seen in his performance. Gail could not play according to his aggressive image. However this explosive T20 batsman has played some good innings in the recently concluded CPL. The Punjab team has been hit as David Malan has been ruled out.
Selection of Nathan Ellis, who took a hat-trick in his debut T-20 match
Apart from this, Punjab's bowling is also looking weak. Australian fast bowlers Jay Richardson and Riley Meredith have not announced themselves for the second phase of IPL-14. Punjab have included Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis in their squad who took a hat-trick in his debut T20 match.
David Malan has been replaced by South African opener Aiden Markram, who is making his IPL debut. Markram has been seen in superb form in T20 cricket in recent times. Punjab has played 8 matches in the first phase, in which the team has won only three times while losing 5 matches.
The change of captain has not changed the fate of Kolkata
The condition of Kolkata is the worst. In the first phase of the IPL, Kolkata lost 5 out of 7 matches while winning only two matches. Eon Morgan was replaced by Dinesh Karthik in the middle of the IPL last year, but KKR changed the captaincy due to poor performance.
Including Tim Southee
Morgan can’t even contribute to batting. Morgan has scored only 92 runs in 7 matches of this IPL. Apart from this, KKR's most expensive player Pat Cummins has withdrawn his name from the IPL for personal reasons. Cummins has been replaced by two-time champion KKR with New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee.
It is a relief for Kolkata that Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have done very well in the CPL. Along with this, Shakib Al Hasan has also returned to form after playing against New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Varun Chakraborty, who has been selected in the Indian squad for the T-20 World Cup, will be expected to bowl aggressively. Chakraborty took 17 wickets in 15 matches in the IPL held in the UAE last year.
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