IPL 2019 | Departure of foreign players may affect teams, feels Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir has stated that the departure of foreign players ahead of World Cup might affect some teams with the IPL heating up for an interesting finish with most teams still in the fray for playoffs. He also felt that Dinesh Karthik needed support from senior players in Kolkata Knight Riders.
As many as 45 matches have been played so far in IPL this season and only two teams have sealed their playoff berth in Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. It has been an extremely competitive tournament so far, but the departure of names like David Warner, Steve Smith, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes could see that change.
Form KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir pinpointed Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore as the teams that would struggle to compete with the departures.
“Now is the time foreign recruits are heading home for their World Cup preparations. Clearly Rajasthan Royals will be hurt the most, losing the backbone of their outfit. RCB too will miss their foreign recruits, especially Moeen Ali. A left-handed batsman in the late middle order is a big advantage which any team wants to have. The most interesting one to note will be Sunrisers Hyderabad”, Gambhir said, reported TOI.
Gambhir also felt that the upcoming matches would be interesting with Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals all fighting for the top spots, as others fight for a place in the playoffs. "It is the most interesting phase of this season's IPL. I can't recall such a closely contested one. While Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi are close to qualification for playoffs, five teams are still in fray to claim the fourth spot and join the Big Daddies.
“The reasons for such a close points table are aplenty. They largely revolve around the conditions in which the matches are played and the team combinations," he added.
Kolkata Knight Riders have had a topsy turvy run this season with the two-time champions winning four out of five matches in the start of the season following which a winless streak of six games saw the team sit seventh on the points table. Gambhir, on addressing his former side, opined that KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik would be needing some support from his team’s senior players to improve their performance in the upcoming matches.
“Dinesh Karthik needs support from the senior members of the team. Sometimes, as a leader, you want someone to put his arm around you and say, "Things will happen, skipper", Gambhir concluded.
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