CLT20: Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders eye semis spot

That is easier said that done though, given the IPL champions’ two straight wins in the tournament. Another victory will surely seal a semifinal spot for them. The Aussies have shown the grit and determination to beat the odds though, evident from their last-ball victory over the Dolphins from South Africa in their previous game. Sixes off the last two balls have shifted the focus on allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

Opener Craig Simmons and No.3 Sam Whiteman too have done well with the bat while Jason Behrendorff, Joel Paris and Pakistan recruit Yasir Arafat have impressed with the ball against the Dolphins.

By contrast, in the two matches they played, KKR have shown tendency to dangerously drop guard. A late rearguard action from Ryan ten Doeschate and Andre Russell won them the first game against Chennai Super Kings. In the second, they threw away a 100-run opening stand between Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa to subsequently lose six wickets before chasing down a modest 151-run target with just three balls to spare.

Their bowling, led by enigmatic spinner Sunil Narine, has prospered though. KKR bowling coach Wasim Akram was all praise for the wily tweaker. “I reckon Narine is the best spin bowler in the T20 format in the world, and is improving by the day. He looks capable of taking a wicket at any given time in the game,” he said on match eve.

Perth spinner Brad Hogg agreed. “Narine bowls both ways and pitches on the penny. He can put lot of pressure on the batsmen... a quality spinner no doubt,” he said on Tuesday.

However, the veteran feels his youthful squad could spring a surprise.

“We are a young side and it should be a huge learning experience. It is always great to play an IPL team with so many good players. We have come here with no great expectations but would be looking for an upset,” Hogg said.

With all four of their Group games scheduled in the City, Hyderabad has turned home ground for KKR. With a clean slate so far, the team obviously is enjoying it. Akram lauded the wicket at RGICS. “Yes, we rely a lot on our spin attack on a pitch I feel is the best in this country,” he said.

“The pitch looks good and might turn later on as it did the other night. This also gives us a chance to test our spin bowling and how much we have improved,” Hogg added.

Perth’s problem could be KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, who, Akram says “is one of the best captains with a psyche to get wickets, which is the best way to stop the flow of runs in any format.”