DHAKA: With the form that Robbie, Shakib, Morne, Narine and now, Yusuf of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), are showing, it might just make matters harder for Kings XI Punjab.
The latest blog post title, “Pride is Purple. Victory is Gold” also says: The Knights have been training harder than ever, keeping in mind the tough task that lies ahead.”
Both the teams are set to face each other in their first qualifier match of IPL on May 27.
Full text of the blog write-up is as follows:
“After the UAE leg, people said that a spot in the Playoffs looked improbable for us. At that stage, we were part of a mid-table tussle for the number 4 spot. But, after a string of exceptional performances as a team, the Knights stormed their way to clinch the fourth place. Then another victory sent them up to the third. But, Gauti's men wanted to play it safe and double our chances of making it to the final. We had to hunt down a score of 161 in 15.2 overs, if we had to get to the second spot. With nothing to lose, the Knights walked out with the license to go for it. At one stage, they made it difficult for themselves, losing a few wickets cheaply. But the best was yet to come, as Yusuf Pathan walked in. It was a stunning knock and Eden was at its loudest.
With that one knock of 72, Yusuf silenced his critics and even broke a rather difficult record (fastest IPL fifty) by making 50 off just 15 balls. Single-handedly, he took us to the much coveted second spot and sent the Chennai Super Kings to the third. It was a thrilling match, but rest assured it was just one of the few more to come.
So as it stands - Punjab is on top, followed by us on the second spot. Chennai have slipped to the third, and after a dramatic win over Rajasthan, Mumbai have sneaked in from nowhere to clinch the fourth spot. The fight to the Playoffs this season, has been by far the most dramatic one ever in the IPL. The real challenge for every team starts now, and by the looks of things, no team is easy to defeat. Because, this time it's a fight of character more than cricket!
We have won seven in a row, and will be looking to extend that run. We will be facing Punjab in the first qualifier at Eden, and will be looking to win it so that we get to the final without making it tougher for ourselves. With the form that Robbie, Shakib, Morne, Narine and now, Yusuf, are showing, it might just make matters harder for Punjab. The Knights have been training harder than ever, keeping in mind the tough task that lies ahead. They are determined to win it for Kolkata and need your support now more than ever! Let's go get the Gold for our pride!”
BDST: 2220 HRS, May 26, 2014
