Today’s clash between Kolkatta Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals will surely be a cracker of a contest. It is crucial tie for both the teams as a win for the Rajasthan Royals would ensure their semi-final berth allowing them to rest some of their main stays for the next few games whereas a win for Kolkatta Knight Riders would make their chances of final four a realistic one. Kolkatta Knight Riders lost their previous tie against the Chennai Super Kings. They have been having quite a busy schedule with not many breaks between games recently and hence haven’t been able to improve upon their mistakes.

While this game could re-ignite the war of words between Shane Warne and Saurav Ganguly again, the main focus would be on Shoaib Akthar. He as been diagonised with an injured knee and hence will probably not take on the field for this key clash which could decide the fate for Kolkatta Knight Riders. Not that they’ll be kicked out of the final four if they lose this game, but their chances will be enhanced if they go on to win this. Or else, they will have to depend on the performance of the other teams and their own net run rate to get through to the semi-finals.

While everything seems to be going right for the Royals, Kolkatta Knight Riders have a lot to think about their batting which has been haunting them for quite some time now. Its better they get back on track right on time. In the absense of Shoaib Akthar, Umar Gul will come back into the playing eleven after missing three games. Salman Butt is good at the top, but they should select a proper partner for him who can score briskly while he ensures that one end remains intact. Lets see how it goes. The next game is also a tough one for the Knight Riders as it is against the in-form King’s XI Punjab.

Back to Shoaib Akthar again. Is he trying to avoid being tested for banned substances in his body? Is he wary that he might be the one to be summoned today? Who knows? Anything is possible. Keep guessing people.