It's the first of 60 matches: The defending champions taking on wooden-spoon winners, after a flashy opening ceremony, amid high security at a stadium neither calls home. What stakes does the first bout of
IPL 2010 hold, when the contestants know they have 13 to follow? Not much in isolation, given the unpredictability of the format and the duration of the tournament, but
Kolkata Knight Riders, who've won only nine out of 28 previous
IPL matches during campaigns fraught with controversy, would love to hit the ground running.
Kolkata's build-up to Friday's opening game has been quieter than in the first two seasons. They appointed a coach who prefers to stay behind the scenes, and not quote Sun Tzu; they named one captain for the entire tournament rather than pass the responsibility around; and they've had fewer chest-beating advertisements on television. Their owner, Bollywood actor
Shah Rukh Khan, has, by his standards, flown under the radar. One of the few off-field developments that made headlines was their new purple and gold strip. They were even involved in the few trades that took place during the transfer window, and used it to strengthen their batting. Could the toning down of the razzmatazz that made the Knight Riders the most flamboyant team despite horrendous results engineer an on-field reform?
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers
1st Match-
Indian Premier League 2009/10
Fri Mar 12
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST
DLF IPL / Indian Premier League 2010 Fixtures/ Schedule
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| Date and Time | Match | TV Link |
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Fri Mar 12
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 1st match - Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai |
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Sat Mar 13
09:30 GMT | 15:00 local
15:00 IST | 2nd match - Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
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Sat Mar 13
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 3rd match - Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh |
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Sun Mar 14
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 4th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
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Sun Mar 14
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 5th match - Chennai Super Kings v Deccan Chargers
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai |
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Mon Mar 15
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 6th match - Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | |
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Tue Mar 16
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 7th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI Punjab
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
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Tue Mar 16
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 8th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
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Wed Mar 17
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 9th match - Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi |
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Thu Mar 18
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 10th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Fri Mar 19
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 11th match - Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Fri Mar 19
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 12th match - Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab
Barabati Stadium, Cuttack | |
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Sat Mar 20
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 13th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | |
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Sat Mar 20
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 14th match - Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Sun Mar 21
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 15th match - Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils
Barabati Stadium, Cuttack | |
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Sun Mar 21
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 16th match - Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Mon Mar 22
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 17th match - Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Tue Mar 23
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 18th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Wed Mar 24
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 19th match - Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | |
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Thu Mar 25
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 20th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Daredevils
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Thu Mar 25
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 21st match - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Fri Mar 26
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 22nd match - Rajasthan Royals v Deccan Chargers
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | |
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Sat Mar 27
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 23rd match - Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | |
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Sun Mar 28
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 24th match - Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings
Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | |
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Sun Mar 28
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 25th match - Deccan Chargers v Mumbai Indians
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai | |
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Mon Mar 29
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 26th match - Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Tue Mar 30
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 27th match - Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Wed Mar 31
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 28th match - Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Wed Mar 31
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 29th match - Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Thu Apr 1
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 30th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Deccan Chargers
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
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Fri Apr 2
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 31st match - Kings XI Punjab v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | |
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Sat Apr 3
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 32nd match - Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Sat Apr 3
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 33rd match - Mumbai Indians v Deccan Chargers
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Sun Apr 4
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 34th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
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Sun Apr 4
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 35th match - Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Mon Apr 5
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 36th match - Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur | |
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Tue Apr 6
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 37th match - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Wed Apr 7
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 38th match - Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | |
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Wed Apr 7
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 39th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
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Thu Apr 8
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 40th match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Deccan Chargers
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Fri Apr 9
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 41st match - Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | |
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Sat Apr 10
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 42nd match - Deccan Chargers v Chennai Super Kings
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur | |
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Sat Apr 10
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 43rd match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Sun Apr 11
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 44th match - Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Sun Apr 11
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 45th match - Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | |
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Mon Apr 12
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 46th match - Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur | |
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Tue Apr 13
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 47th match - Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | |
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Tue Apr 13
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 48th match - Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Wed Apr 14
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 49th match - Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | |
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Thu Apr 15
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 50th match - Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | |
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Fri Apr 16
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 51st match - Kings XI Punjab v Deccan Chargers
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala | |
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Sat Apr 17
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 52nd match - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Sat Apr 17
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 53rd match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
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Sun Apr 18
10:30 GMT | 16:00 local
16:00 IST | 54th match - Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala | |
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Sun Apr 18
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 55th match - Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | |
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Mon Apr 19
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 56th match - Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
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Wed Apr 21
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Thu Apr 22
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | |
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Sat Apr 24
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | 3rd Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai | |
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Sun Apr 25
14:30 GMT | 20:00 local
20:00 IST | Final - TBC v TBC
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai | |
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For proof that it can be done, they only need to look at their opponents. Deccan Chargers finished last in the opening season, winning only two games and none at home in Hyderabad. They too made significant changes - a new captain and coach - for the second season in South Africa and were surprise winners. However, they are not among the most formidable teams this season: their squad contains overseas players who are either out of form or short on match-practice; their bowlers had struggled to contain on India's flat batting surfaces and were more effective in South Africa.
Team talk
Kolkata have only six overseas players to choose from at the moment: Brad Hodge, Owais Shah, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Mashrafe Mortaza and Charl Langeveldt. The likes of Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, David Hussey and Shane Bond will join the squad only after their international commitments. It's likely that Mendis and Mortaza will be the ones to miss out on the opening game. Ajit Agarkar did not train on the eve of the match because of a calf strain and is likely to sit out as well. Kolkata signed up an Under-19 player, Mandeep Singh, 48 hours ago and he is reportedly in their scheme of things.
Deccan don't have a choice regarding their overseas players for the first game. They have only four in the squad so Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas will play. It's a bit of a concern since Gilchrist, Symonds and Vaas have been out of competitive cricket while Gibbs has been struggling for form with South Africa. They have a strong Indian contingent, though, with VVS Laxman and Rohit Sharma bolstering the batting, and RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha leading the bowling.
Previously…
Kolkata beat Deccan in both matches during the 2008 season: by five wickets at home and by 23 runs away. Deccan, however, won both matches during the 2009 season in South Africa, beating Kolkata by eight and six wickets.
In the spotlight
Charl Langeveldt v Deccan's openers: Adam Gilchrist has spent another year without playing much competitive cricket and his opening partner Gibbs isn't in prime form anymore. In Langeveldt, Kolkata possess a clever bowler capable of taking crucial wickets and Gilchrist's will be the prize scalp. Langeveldt played only one game last season so, if given an opportunity tomorrow, he'll be keen to stake his claim before Shane Bond arrives.
Owais Shah: Kolkata acquired Shah from Delhi this season, in exchange for Moises Henriques, to bolster a batting line-up that is missing McCullum, Gayle and Hussey during the early stages. Shah spent the entire season on the sidelines for Delhi in 2009 so he'll be desperate to make an impact in his first IPL opportunity. Those who watched his 72 off 48 balls in an ODI in Bangalore, and his 98 against South Africa in the Champions Trophy will know what damage Shah can cause with his innovative technique.
Prime numbers
# Kolkata possess the two highest run-scorers in Twenty20 cricket. Hodge has 2547 runs in 77 innings at a strike-rate of 129 and David Hussey has scored 2355 runs at a strike-rate of 139.
# Adam Gilchrist was the second highest run-scorer in IPL 2009 - 495 at a strike-rate of 152. RP Singh was the tournament's highest wicket-taker, with 23 at an economy-rate of just under seven an over.
The chatter
"Everyone team is affected by the international schedule. It is not a surprise. We are only one of the teams who are not full-strength as yet. But it is about the Indian contingent and how they perform that can often determine the results."
Adam Gilchrist isn't too concerned by the shortage of overseas players for the first game.
"It's a new set up at KKR. We have done the best in everything we can, hopefully we will deliver. I am not too keen to talk about the past. We have a good atmosphere."
Sourav Ganguly isn't dwelling on poor campaigns of the past.
