<ul><li>Wisden declares the <keyword id="620720" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ODI-team">ODI team</keyword> of the decade: seven countries find their players in the list. </li><li>India proudly bags the highest representation by finding three of its players in the team. </li><li>Cricket enthusiasts feel the list mirrors the most popular picks.</li></ul>The first decade of the twenty first century is drawing towards close and the cricket world is reviewing the performance of all those great talents that have given their best for their teams. Wisden has announced its much awaited <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/wisden-releases-odi-team-of-the-decade-three-indians-included-one-surprising-inclusion/story-6wPgHJ2dfu0jyYIZT47IqO.html?utm_campaign=fullarticle&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=inshorts">ODI team of the decade</a>. 11 players from across seven countries find their way into this most coveted list after successfully getting through the sieve. <keyword id="8489728" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="wisden-odi-team">Wisden ODI team</keyword> of the decade highlights The 11 players list Wisden has pooled up closely mirrors the obvious and the most popular picks that most cricket enthusiasts will agree with. <a href="https://twitter.com/WisdenCricket">India has the highest representation</a> as it finds three of its players making their way up to the list. Australia and South Africa together claim the next position as each of them is able to squeeze in two of their players into the list. The remaining four slots are filled in by the players from England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. The full list of Wisden ODI team of the decade 1. <keyword id="13937" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rohit-Sharma">Rohit Sharma</keyword> (India) Topping the list and playing since 2010 in 179 ODIs, Rohit could secure 8186 runs at 53.50. His best score is 264 runs. 2. David Warner (Australia) Warner played in 109 ODIs so far and scored 4884 runs at 47.88. 3. <keyword id="6354486" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="virat-kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> (India) To his credit, Virat Kohli has played in 226 matches scoring an average of 11040 runs at 60.65. 4. AB de Villiers (South Africa) Last year AB de Villiers of South Africa chose to retire from international cricket matches. He has proudly scored 6485 runs at 64.20 in 135 ODIs from 2010 to 2019. 5. Jos Buttler (England) Fans call him one of the most destructive batsmen ever produced by England. Buttler is acclaimed for scoring 3843 runs and his average score is 40.88 from 142 ODIs. 6. <keyword id="6354832" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ms-dhoni">MS Dhoni</keyword> (India) MS Dhoni, one of the most renowned captains Indian cricket team ever had follows Buttler in the list. Under his able leadership, India secured the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhoni has hit 5640 runs at a stunning average of 50.35 runs over these ten years. 7. Shakib al Hasan (Bangladesh) Shakib played in 131 ODIs over the past decade from 2010 to 2019. He has taken 177 wickets and scored 4276 runs in total. 8. Mitchell Starc (Australia) Over the decade, Mitchell Starc of Australia has taken 172 wickets at his run rate score is 20.99 in all the 85 ODIs he played. 9. Dale Steyn (South Africa) To his credit, Dale Steyn has bagged 145 wickets while playing in 90 ODIs and his run rate average is 24.80. 10. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) Lasith Malinga made his way to the list by bagging 248 wickets during the 162 ODIs he played with an average run rate of 28.74. 11. Trent Boult (New Zealand) The last one to figure in the list is Trent Boult who got 164 wickets with a run score of 25.06 from all the 89 ODIs he played during the decade.

Wisden declares ODI team of the decade: India has the highest representation as three of its players make it to the list

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/58072622.cms" />After loosing both games last season again Raina led Lions, what a way to comeback! That was some hitting from Lynn. 
 
Tweet Alert! 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash">#IPL</a> Match 3 - <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders">@KKRiders</a> 184/0 (14.5 ov) beat <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGujaratLions">@TheGujaratLions</a> 183/4 by 10 wickets. <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir">@GautamGambhir</a> (76 off 48), <a href="https://twitter.com/lynny50">@lynny50</a> (93 off 41) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKR?src=hash">#KKR</a> <a href="https://t.co/IvvHOzM4TI">pic.twitter.com/IvvHOzM4TI</a>
	— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/850400801843535876">April 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		The big day is finally here. Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Knights?src=hash">#Knights</a> have prepared well &amp; are ready to take on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGujaratLions">@TheGujaratLions</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GLvKKR?src=hash">#GLvKKR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DusKiDahaad?src=hash">#DusKiDahaad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmiKKR?src=hash">#AmiKKR</a> <a href="https://t.co/kLWj97647c">pic.twitter.com/kLWj97647c</a>
	— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders/status/850197606428954625">April 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Captain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SureshRaina?src=hash">#SureshRaina</a>​ was in full flow during the practice session. All geared up for our 1st match against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKR?src=hash">#KKR</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GameMaariChhe?src=hash">#GameMaariChhe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GLvKKR?src=hash">#GLvKKR</a> <a href="https://t.co/qEU3weWMt7">pic.twitter.com/qEU3weWMt7</a> — The <keyword id="1641060" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat-lions">Gujarat Lions</keyword> (@TheGujaratLions) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGujaratLions/status/850264389978431490">April 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
 
Complete Squads 
 
<keyword id="6354467" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> 
 
Robin Uthappa(w), Gautam Gambhir(c), <keyword id="66306" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manish-Pandey">Manish Pandey</keyword>, Chris Lynn, <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword>, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Woakes, <keyword id="793467" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunil-Narine">Sunil Narine</keyword>, Piyush Chawla, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Yadav, <keyword id="6382259" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Andre-Russell">Andre Russell</keyword>, Shakib Al Hasan, Sheldon Jackson, Ankit Rajpoot, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Darren Bravo, Rishi Dhawan, Ishank Jaggi, Sayan Ghosh, Ramsingh Sanjay Yadav, Colin de Grandhomme 
 
Gujarat Lions 
 
Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina(c), Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik(w), Ishan Kishan, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shivil Koushik, Shadab Bashir Jakati, Nathu Singh, Dwayne Bravo, Andrew Tye, Ravindra Jadeja, Pradeep Sangwan, Jaydev Shah, Manpreet Gony, Jason Roy, Munaf Patel, Chirag Suri, Akshdeep Nath, Basil Thampi, Shubham Agarwal, Tejas Baroka, Pratham Singh, Shelley Shaurya 
 
(<a href="http://oddreaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/3454768.jpg">Image Source</a>)

LIVE IPL 2017, Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders: The opening pair of Kolkata just finished Gujarat

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35630550.cms" />On Tuesday, Kolkata Knight Riders will continue their fairy-tale run in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League with their Qualifier against pre-tournament favourites Kings XI Punjab. KXIP dropped just six points on their way to the Play-offs, while the 2012 champions began their campaign on a horrid note, picked up in the middle and made it into the last four thanks to a seven-match winning streak.
 

	Four players have played a crucial hand in their dramatic turnaround, and will hold the key in putting it past KXIP in front of a capacity crowd at their home ground, the Eden Gardens.
 

	Robin Uthappa
 Much like other teams, <keyword id="6354544" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="KKR">KKR</keyword> were also chopping and changing in their bid to find the right eleven players during the UAE leg of the tournament, a period during which they suffered. The opening combination didn't fit with Gautam Gambhir in woeful touch and Jacques Kallis failing to find fifth gear, while Manish Pandey and Manvinder Bisla couldn't answer the call. UAE leg over, and Uthappa was pushed to open the innings and to the average fan, he single-handedly scripted the turnaround. 

	Since opening the innings, Uthappa has gone on to topple Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith to become the leading run-scorer with an envious run of form: 47, 65, 47, 46, 80, 40, 67, 83* and 41 have been his previous nine innings. Uthappa has been the backbone of KKR's batting thanks to which big-hitters like Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan have flourished. Against KXIP, he will be the key to flatten a KXIP side who have been on a roll of their own.
 

	Sunil Narine
 

	The West Indian was retained by the franchise for a very specific reason, and he hasn't disappointed. Narine is the best on show as far as his craft is concerned, and remains a threat against any team thanks to his deadly accurate offspin. In the two previous games against KXIP, Narine had figures of 3 for 24 and 1 for 30 from his four overs. While KKR couldn't get over the line in Abu Dhabi, they managed to do so in Cuttack. Narine has also been the tournament's leading wicket-taker so far, tied on 20 from 13 games with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
 

	While Bhuvneshwar's Sunrisers Hyderabad have been eliminated, Narine has a chance to consolidate his position further. While he hasn't taken wickets with as much regularity as he would have liked, teams have found it difficult to score against him. Gambhir has used him intelligently - Narine bowls two, sometimes three overs at the back end of the innings and that's where teams have struggled against him. In addition to his 20 scalps, Narine has been the most economical too, going at 6.00 runs per over. Only twice have KXIP not managed to score over 150 in completed innings, and both have come against the bowling attack featuring Narine.
 

	Yusuf Pathan
 

	KKR's batting order worries in the UAE were not only attributed to the top order, but the failure of their middle order to hold them together. Yusuf Pathan showed glimpses of his old spark in a defeat to Chennai Super Kings, but the Yusuf known for his belligerence was missing.
 

	Against SRH at Eden Gardens, however, Yusuf rose to the occasion with a blistering 72 from just 22 balls that took his team home in a big chase in just 14.2 overs. KKR had given themselves two chances at the final, and while everything else fell into place since returning to India, the spark in Yusuf that was missing ensured they were firing on all cylinders.
 

	Yusuf had tore into Dale Steyn for 26 in an over, and how he counters the pace of Mitchell Johnson and co. could determine the outcome of the fixture.
 

	Shakib Al Hasan
 

	Two agonizingly close defeats to Rajasthan Royals - the one with the Super Over and the other that featured the implosion - had threatened to derail KKR's campaign, but the Bangladesh allrounder ensured they came close. Since then, though, Shakib has played an important part in some of KKR's victories with both bat and ball.
 

	Shakib is has been second best only to Narine in terms of economy rate, and has broken crucial stands with his left-arm spin, providing an able back-up to Narine from the other end. His hard-hitting innings of 60 and 46* ensured victories over Royal Challengers Bangalore and CSK, keeping KKR's winning streak unbroken. Together with Narine, he will be tasked with keeping a big-hitting KXIP batting line-up at bay, and batting at No 5 to see the team to either a big total or home in a chase.

IPL: KKR's Fantastic Four Who Will Be Key In The Last Four

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34416382.cms" /><keyword id="63248" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Abu-Dhabi">Abu Dhabi</keyword>: By the 17th over, it seemed like <keyword id="6354467" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> would pull off a sensational run-chase. Needing 16 off the last 12 balls, one got a feeling they had the match in their pocket, but <keyword id="640879" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="James-Faulkner">James Faulkner</keyword>'s heroics with the ball, followed by a thrilling Super Over denied <keyword id="13839" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir">Gautam Gambhir</keyword>'s men the much needed victory. 
 The result might have not been the ideal way for KKR to sign off the UAE leg, but <keyword id="6371482" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="coach">coach</keyword> Trevor Bayliss says the team did well to come close to the target, but not before admitting to his team's inconsistent show with the bat. 
 
"We've just been a little bit off in our game. We played really well in our first match but I don't think we have performed anywhere near our potential yet. We've seen flashes of it tonight but that's the highs and lows of a T20 game," Bayliss said in the post-match conference. 
 
The match was evenly poised at 88/4 when Surya Kumar Yadav and allrounder Shakib Al Hasan revived the KKR innings and took the score to 137. Yadav's 19-ball 31 almost got his side home and Bayliss was quick to laud the effort of the 23-year-old-batsman. 
 
"I think he did a fantastic job. I believe he is one of the better finishers I've seen. He might not look like the big-hitting player but anyone who can sweep a medium-pacer over a big boundary at square leg, to me that person is a power hitter. He has done extremely well for us in the three or four games he has batted," Bayliss said. 
 
However, Bayliss did confess that KKR's batting has not lived upto its potential and the batsmen need to get among the runs before it gets late. "We're looking forward to all our batsmen scoring runs. That's what everyone is striving for. It was good to see the captain [Gambhir] score some runs tonight, which will hopefully be the beginning of a good run for him." 
 
Dismissing the thoughts of perhaps not having a big-hitter in the Super over cost them the match, the former Sri Lanka coach said his team possesses a few genuine match-winners. 
 
"I'm not necessarily concerned about having a big hitter in the team. I think we have got some good finishers. As I said earlier, Yadav did an outstanding job for us. Even Shakib I think played well towards the end. Sometimes you can hit a six and then miss two three in a row, but that's not as good a someone who hits a four and take a couple of twos. We just need to play a little more smartly. With two overs to go, I think we could have won but you learn from mistakes and hopefully we won't repeat it again," he said. 
 KKR's chase owed a lot to Gambhir's 44-ball 45 at the top which ended his dry spell of runs and Bayliss is hopeful of the <keyword id="242763" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="KKR-skipper">KKR skipper</keyword> to make the start count. 
 
"He was obviously disappointed. Not from his own point of view but due to the fact that he wasn't able to get his side off to a start. If he gets going up front, then we are in a lot better position to win games. Yes, we didn't win today but I thought it was a good run-chase, batting second and scoring a 150-odd runs is always a pressure situation in a close game. So the fact that he was hitting the ball well was good to see and hopefully it is a sign of things to come."

IPL: Bayliss Wants KKR Batsmen To Fire

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/34817839.cms" />The third week of IPL 7 in India was probably more exciting than the previous two weeks in the UAE thanks to some great individual performances and a big run-in between <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> and Mitchell Starc. Here, gocricket.com chronicles the eye-catching events that unfolded over the course of last week. 
 
Tambe spins magic with first hat-trick this season 
 At the age of 42, <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> legspinner Tambe is having the time of his life. Look at his performances in the tournament from day one, he has been nothing short of brilliant. However, this week Tambe took his game to another level and helped RR register a win from an unlikely position against Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on May 5. Chasing 171 to win, the Gautam Gambhir-led KKR were cruising at one time at 121 for 0 in 14 overs before RR captain <keyword id="6378477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shane-Watson">Shane Watson</keyword> took three wickets in an over to provide a big opening for his team. However, it was Tambe's hat-trick in the next over that actually put the nail in KKR's coffin. The wickets of Manish Pandey, <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword> and Ryan ten Doeschate broke KKR's back badly and they ended up losing the match by 10 runs. Tambe's performance this season has proved that age has little significance nowadays in cricket and that it's fitness and willingness to do well that shapes a player's career. 
 
de Villiers breaks run-drought in style 
 It was long coming. AB de Villiers had an ordinary season prior to <keyword id="6354506" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword>'s game against <keyword id="1494441" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sunrisers-Hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> on May 4 and when Virat Kohli's men were reduced to 59 for 4 in 10.1 overs chasing 159 to win, it appeared the match was as good as gone for RCB. Against all odds, de Villiers launched a rearguard action and smashed 89* off 41 balls with the help of six fours and eight sixes to see his side home in the last over. While de Villiers punished all SRH bowlers, his face-off with fellow South African and arguably the greatest bowler in the world at present, <keyword id="12829" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Dale-Steyn">Dale Steyn</keyword>, will be remembered for many years to come. In the penultimate over of the innings, de Viliers took 24 runs off Steyn, hitting three sixes and a four to turn the match on its head. 
 
Pollard-Starc altercation 
 The game between <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword> and <keyword id="12643" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers">Royal Challengers</keyword> Bangalore on May 6 will long be remembered for an ugly altercation between Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc. The run-in - towards the end of MI's innings - that saw the West Indian and the Australian almost come to blows, influenced the outcome of the match a great deal as MI took 54 runs off last 20 balls, thanks largely to captain <keyword id="13937" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rohit-Sharma">Rohit Sharma</keyword>'s 59 off 35 balls, to post a mammoth 187 for 5. 
 
The drama began in the 17th over when Starc used some pretty choice language against Pollard after beating him with a bouncer. The West Indian disdainfully signed to Starc to go away, and off the next ball backed away from the crease at the last minute. Starc, instead of stopping himself, followed the West Indian on the legside and almost hit him, leaving a seething Pollard to throw his bat towards the bowler in a menacing way. 
 
However, the West Indian had the last laugh when he took a simple catch at extra cover to send Starc (5) back to the pavilion off the bowling of Lasith Malinga. Not just that, earlier in the match he had also accounted for the dangerous Yuvraj Singh's run out (6) using his footballing skills to great effect. 
 
The IPL Governing Council later on Wednesday fined both Pollard and Starc for breaching its code of conduct. 
 
Maxwell at it once again 
 Orange Cap holder Glenn Maxwell (435 runs in seven matches) fuelled his legend further smashing 90 off 38 balls in Kings XI Punjab's 44-run win over <keyword id="13886" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword> on May 7. The Australian put on view the switch-hit several times hitting eight sixes and six fours and it surely was his innings that made the difference. His approach against R Ashwin was particularly impressive. The India offspinner is normally very effective bowling around the wicket, but not against Maxwell on Wednesday evening. The Big Show smashed back-to-back sixes in the 11th over against the India offspinner who looked befuddled not knowing where he should land the ball, bowling two wides to boot. Things changed drastically after Ashwin's over, with KXIP scoring 162 in the last 10 overs to finish on 231 for 4. With the win against MS Dhoni's men, KXIP made it back to the top of the table with six wins in seven matches, while CSK go down to second after their second defeat in eight matches. 
 
Delhi Daredevils' sorry state 
 Delhi Daredevils took the wooden spoon last season and looking at their performance so far it seems another is on their way. The team under Kevin Pietersen looks absolutely spineless, especially in the bowling department. DD's defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7 was their sixth in eight matches and the way Pietersen ran himself out tells a great deal about his current state of mind. The former England batsman tapped a Shakib-al-Hasan delivery to offside and ran away for a single straight away, head down and without looking at non-striker batsman <keyword id="57265" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Murali-Vijay">Murali Vijay</keyword>. Wicketkeeper <keyword id="2231057" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Robin-Uthapa">Robin Uthapa</keyword> charged towards the ball, picked it up and ran Pietersen out in a flash with Vijay shaking his head in disbelief at the other end. 
 Pietersen's captaincy is also under the scanner for repeatedly not bringing the in-form duo of <keyword id="69475" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="JP-Duminy">JP Duminy</keyword> and Kedar Jadhav up the batting order. Fast bowler Mohammad Shami is another big concern for DD. He is one of the promising bowlers in the country but his performance so far in the tournament is worrying. Four wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 8.34 don't justify his talent. At present, it's hard to imagine how DD are going to turn their fortunes around.

IPL Week 3 Review: Tambe, De Villiers, Maxwell Steal The Show

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35938508.cms" />From languishing near the bottom of the table after the first leg in the UAE to qualifying for the play-offs by finishing second in the points table, <keyword id="6354467" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> capped off their <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> 7 campaign as champions for the second time in three years. Despite a slow start, KKR struck form during the second half of the tournament, and after a shocking loss to <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> in Ahmedabad, they returned by winning their next nine games, including the first Qualifier and final, culminating in a memorable win at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. 
 KKR's fortunes changed immediately after they addressed their problems with their batting, as their bowling remained frugal thanks to their spin department. Robin Uthappa and <keyword id="13839" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir">Gautam Gambhir</keyword> opened the innings at the cost of Jacques Kallis, and Uthappa's stunning run of form turned them into masters of the chase, as out of their nine straight victories, seven came while batting second. 
 
IPL 7 record: Played 16, won 11, lost 5, points 18 (second in table) 
 KKR began the tournament with a convincing win over defending champions Mumbai Indians, but narrow defeats to <keyword id="6354884" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Delhi-Daredevils">Delhi Daredevils</keyword>, <keyword id="13883" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kings-XI-Punjab">Kings XI Punjab</keyword> and Rajasthan Royals (via Super Over) meant they left from the UAE in a precarious situation, especially with Gambhir's opening form being a worry. And once they lost two more after returning to India, they had to turn things around and quickly. 
 
Tough decisions were taken; to leave a player of Jacques Kallis' pedigree was a big gamble but it worked. Robin Uthappa's elevation to the opening slot was a masterstroke as he found his rhythm, as did Gambhir in his company. And once victory came in Delhi, they went from strength to strength, eventually peaking at the right time to launch an unstoppable winning run. 
 
High point 
 Despite securing their passage to the play-offs with a game in hand, KKR showed the hunger to do even better in their last league game. KKR were third in the points table, and another victory – but by a huge margin – would have taken them to No 2, and against <keyword id="1494441" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sunrisers-Hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> on their home turf, they went for it with nothing to lose. 
 KKR needed 161 to win but inside 15.2 overs, and <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword> chose the moment to announce his return to form, belting 72 from just 22 balls – included 26 from a Dale Steyn over – as the hosts completed the chase with six balls remaining. The win not only gave them two chances to enter the final, but ensured they played the first Qualifier in front of their home fans at the Eden Gardens. 
 
Low point 
 
Not surprisingly, KKR's lowest ebb came during the first half of the tournament, and their twin defeats to Rajasthan Royals had thrown their campaign off course. In Abu Dhabi, KKR managed to tie a thrilling game to take it to a Super Over, but RR managed to tie the game to win it on a higher boundary count. 
 
But their second defeat to RR was worse, as despite cruising at one stage at 121 for no loss, KKR's batting imploded to eventually fall 10 runs short. Six batsmen were out in the space of two overs and two runs. That they bounced back to win nine games in a row showed how much that loss had hurt. 
 
Captaincy verdict 
 
Despite getting off to his worst start across all editions with three ducks in a row, which was followed by a score of 1, Gautam Gambhir showcased his shrewd side as captain even when faced with his own loss of form. He dropped himself to No 3, and even though the experiment didn't work, it showed Gambhir's desperation to put his team in winning positions. 
 
Gambhir – and indeed the team management – made tough choices in resting Kallis and deciding to open with Uthappa, a move that not only signaled KKR addressing their batting issues, but Uthappa's run of form that saw him become the leading run-getter after that vindicated the move. 
 
The KKR skipper was clever while handling his bowlers, and his decision to bowl Sunil Narine during the back end of the innings proved vital in the team's success in the last five overs. The bowling unit at Gambhir's disposal was thus the most economical throughout the tournament. 
 
Most valuable player 
 
Robin Uthappa began the tournament with decent scores in the middle order, but Kallis and Gambhir's inability to keep the scoreboard ticking at a good rate allowed him to open the innings. Uthappa relished the opportunity, and his spectacular returns – more than 40 in ten straight innings leading up to the final – saw him become the leading run-getter of the tournament. Uthappa finished the tournament with 660 runs at a strike-rate of 137 with five half-centuries, and earned a recall to the national side for the series against Bangladesh. 
 
Major disappointment 
 
The veteran South African had announced his retirement from Test cricket not too long ago, and the rustiness of not having played the shorter formats frequently showed up during the first leg of the tournament in UAE. His 72 in KKR's opening game was his best across both skills, but Kallis' contributions dropped after that. In eight games, he managed 151 runs at a strike-rate of 117 and four wickets with an economy of 8.45. Kallis' waning form prompted KKR to push Uthappa to open, and his good run coupled with the finishing skills of Shakib Al Hasan and Ryan ten Doeschate meant Kallis could never return to the XI. 
 
Verdict 
 
By winning their second IPL title in three years, KKR became the second team to win the championship twice along with Chennai Super Kings. KKR's successes were highlighted by the team playing around their key players. Different batsmen put their hand up to win games – Yusuf Pathan and Manish Pandey deserve a special mention – while the bowling attack revolved around the excellent spin trio of Narine, Shakib and Piyush Chawla. The highest run-getter was a KKR batsman (Uthappa) while Narine was two wickets shy of becoming the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. 
 
Must do for 2015 
 
No team likes to disrupt a winning combination and KKR won't be any different, but it will be interesting to see if Jacques Kallis returns for another year as an IPL player. Kallis has retired from Test cricket and with the 2015 World Cup not too far away, the legendary allrounder will draw curtains on a glittering career. At 39, fitness would be a key battle Kallis would have to fight to find a place among the four overseas players. What would be more interesting is who they replace the greatest allrounder of the modern game with. 
 
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[IPL] Review: KKR Cap Stunning Turnaround With Title

In terms of ambition, the Champions League T20 was to be the perfect tool to showcase, and popularise, franchise cricket. It was modelled on the UEFA Champions League, with clubs from cricketing nations teaming up for a short T20 event. But into its sixth edition, it hasn't delivered on the promise front. The <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> in India is still the benchmark, and the involvement of international teams somehow fails to pique interest among fans who get behind their local franchises (a reason to include a fourth Indian team). From September 13, however, up until October 4, the disappointments of the England tour will be forgotten, and cricket's shortest format will once again drum up the entertainment before the home season in India gets under way. 
 
In many ways, the timeframe set apart for the Champions League is about perfect for a T20 competition. The IPL lasts two months; back-to-back games in the middle of the Indian summer making it an annual TV soap opera. The expectancy of home advantage is less; teams from South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand make it a more global event, and the chance to see several international players, who could soon be seen being snapped up by several franchises in next year's IPL. The Champions League then is the IPL's poorer cousin, but the unpredictable nature of the competition could make it for interesting viewing. 
 
Chhattisgarh's Raipur International Cricket Stadium will host the six qualifiers featuring Lahore Lions (Pakistan), Mumbai Indians (India), Northern Knights (New Zealand) and Southern Express (Sri Lanka), before the main league kicks off with games scheduled in Hyderabad, Mohali and Bangalore. Gocricket.com takes a look at the teams making up the competition: 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders: The IPL champions gained direct entry into the league stages by virtue of their title triumph a few months ago, but have been hampered by injuries to Morne Morkel and <keyword id="258312" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Chris-Lynn">Chris Lynn</keyword>, who have been ruled out of the tournament, as was Shakib Al Hasan, serving a disciplinary sanction by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The Indian domestic season was over before the IPL meaning several Indian players will be without practice, a situation that forced <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/yusuf-pathan/30001/4096">Yusuf Pathan</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/piyush-chawla/30001/4089">Piyush Chawla</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/manvinder-bisla/30001/27013">Manvinder Bisla</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kuldeep-yadav/30001/4133">Kuldeep Yadav</a> to undergo a boot camp in South Africa. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/gautam-gambhir/30001/4043">Gautam Gambhir</a>, the inspirational two-time IPL-winning captain, however, is back playing franchise cricket after a nightmarish return to the Indian team on the England tour. Gambhir would have to brush aside that traumatic experience to lead his troops. 
 
Perth Scorchers: Like KKR, Perth Scorchers triumphed at the Big Bash League, but like the Indian franchise, they too come into the tournament with a depleted squad. Simon Katich was their leading run-getter but is not available, nor is Shaun Marsh, who was injured. The franchise will rely heavily on <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/mitchell-marsh/1001/27022">Mitchell Marsh</a>, who is coming off a successful trip with the Australian team in Zimbabwe. 
 
Dolphins: Winners of South Africa's domestic T20 competition, Dolphins make their Champions League bow under former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, who has previously turned out for KKR. With <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/david-miller/8001/8076">David Miller</a> opting to play for Kings XI Punjab, the Dolphins squad will miss the services of their explosive batsman, but <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kyle-abbott/8001/29036">Kyle Abbott</a>'s presence in the bowling line-up gives them some international quality. 
 
Barbados Tridents: The 2014 Caribbean Premier League champions will be without <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/dwayne-smith/26001/10043">Dwayne Smith</a>, Shoaib Malik and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kieron-pollard/31001/10060">Kieron Pollard</a> but still have enough quality to surprise bigger teams. Zimbabwe's hard-hitting ODI captain <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/elton-chigumbura/11001/11033">Elton Chigumbura</a>, James Franklin and <keyword id="1319274" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dilshan-Munaweera">Dilshan Munaweera</keyword> will bolster the batting, while Ravi Rampaul will lead the bowling attack. 
 
Kings XI Punjab: KXIP turned out to be the surprise package of the IPL and despite falling short of a maiden title, turned heads with their all-round performances. Despite an injury to Sandeep Sharma, who was a revelation with the new ball, the KXIP line-up screams quality under the astute leadership of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/george-bailey/29001/26015">George Bailey</a>. Add to that the explosive batting order comprising <keyword id="7567" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Virender-Sehwag">Virender Sehwag</keyword>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/glenn-maxwell/29001/36006">Glenn Maxwell</a>, David Miller and Thisara Perera. 
 
Hobart Hurricanes: Bailey's absence from the Hurricanes has given discarded Australian wicketkeeper-batsman <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/tim-paine/1001/1088">Tim Paine</a> a chance to step up. Former Pakistan captain <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shoaib-malik/7001/7011">Shoaib Malik</a> will give the side important advice about playing on subcontinent surfaces, while Chennai Super Kings' pace bowling duo – Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus – would know a thing or two about their former team. Aiden Blizzard and Ben Dunk add muscle to their batting order. 
 
Cape Cobras: After falling two runs short of the Ram Slam T20 title, Cape Cobras will be out to go one better at the Champions League with a team full of South Africa's top players. Justin Ontong has at his service the class of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/hashim-amla/8001/8034">Hashim Amla</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/jp-duminy/8001/8053">JP Duminy</a> and Vernon Philander, and their most successful domestic spinner, Dane Piedt. Veterans Justin Kemp and Robin Peterson are sure to lift the team with their all-round skills. 
 
Chennai Super Kings: CSK are out to emulate Mumbai Indians by attempting a second title. Free from international duty, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/26001/4057">MS Dhoni</a> will look to his franchise to give his much-criticised captaincy a boost. Their all-round T20 skill under the Indian captain makes them one of the most feared sides in the competition. 
 
Besides the sure-shot contenders, four teams will contest the qualifying stages with two of them set to go through: 
 
Mumbai Indians: The defending CLT20 champions had to endure a difficult IPL but emerged late to snatch fourth place to earn a shot at a title defence. For majority of the competition, MI suffered by failing to field the right combinations and captain Rohit Sharma's absence means fellow seniors like Kieron Pollard, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/harbhajan-singh/31001/4008">Harbhajan Singh</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/lasith-malinga/31001/9036">Lasith Malinga</a> will have to step up. Star signing Corey Anderson's lack of form was a subject of great debate during the competition, but his game-changing 94 against Rajasthan Royals proved how dangerous the side could be with the big players firing. 
 
Lahore Lions: Pakistan's T20 champions had to endure a difficult passage into India with a visa delay, but on match day, their quality is set to leave an impact on the competition. The absence of Pakistani players from the IPL means the Lions will lend additional charm to the event, and the team is full of quality with six Pakistan internationals – <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ahmed-shehzad/7001/7070">Ahmed Shehzad</a>, Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz and captain Mohammad Hafeez. 
 
Nothern Knights: <keyword id="13837" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Daniel-Vettori">Daniel Vettori</keyword>'s withdrawal from the competition wouldn't affect the side that already boasts of <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/kane-williamson/6001/6071">Kane Williamson</a>, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, BJ Watling and Ish Sodhi, the fulcrum of the revival in New Zealand cricket. Scott Styris brings in years of experience, most importantly of having played in India on several occasions. 
 
Southern Express: Without Lasith Malinga and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/tillakaratne-dilshan/9001/9034">Tillakaratne Dilshan</a>, the Sri Lankan side does look weak but expect them to fight tooth and nail. The familiarity with conditions in the subcontinent will make them a force to reckon with.

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