Resurgent Knight Riders take on Daredevil

Kolkata, May 12 (PTI) Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar could be seen in action for the first time, as a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders take on Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League match here tomorrow.

Having collected eight points from as many matches, both teams are in contention for semi-final berths, and the Eden Gardens tie could be crucial in determining the course of events.

With their superior net run-rate (0.545), the Knight Riders are now placed fourth, a rung above the Delhi side, who have a net run rate of 0.500.

After four losses, the Knight Riders have returned to their winnings ways in the last two matches, and skipper Sourav Ganguly's re-discovery of form both with the willow and the cherry have come as an additional moral-booster for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side.

Senior pro Ganguly had totalled only 96 from half a dozen games till the match opposite Bangalore Royal Challengers on May 8, which had prompted questions on his form and fitness.

But the comeback man of Indian cricket gave a befitting reply to his critics with two consecutive man-of-the-match performances.

With dream bowling figures of 3-0-7-1, Ganguly put paid to the hopes of Hyderabad overhauling the Knight Riders' total before coming up with a breath-taking all-round show in yesterday's outing against Deccan Chargers (91 off 57 balls and 2/25).

However, all eyes are now focussed on the likely inclusion of Shoaib, who is yet to make his IPL debut since arriving in India last week and whose presence could add more ammunition to the Knight Riders bowling arsenal.

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