Strengths
Buchanan's tactical prowess, years of international experience and subsequent wisdom sees him stand head and shoulders above the rest of any other coach on display in the IPL.
Somehow allowed a handy four-day interval between their 5 May and 10 May clashes against the Daredevils before enjoying a relatively slow end to their group clashes, the Knight Riders' schedule thus reads a lot better than some of their rivals' rosters.
Weaknesses
Shoaib Akhtar isn't around this year so he can't be labeled the weakness but a host of unknowns do. And therein lies the woe. While Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum and the like will be keen to do their job, grab their cash and to an extent keep to themselves and their international ambitions after the tourney, Ganguly, Sharma and Ajit Agarkar will have to rally around the youngsters and shepherd them through what could end up being a quite overwhelming experience for their Indian rookies vast and varied.
Likely hit
Charl Langeveldt - a late signing as cover for Kolkata's depleted fast-bowling resources, the South African player of the year in 2007 should prove the perfect foil to Ishant Sharma and Mashrafe Mortaza's aggression with his renowned, metronomic line and length at the 'death'.
Likely Flop
Brad Hodge - the least aggressive of the three Aussie batsman included in the Knight Rider's squad, Hodge hardly holds a candle to David Hussey and Moises Henriques. Add to that the presence of Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle and Sourav Ganguly and it's pretty obvious hackneyed Hodge is destined to live in his contemporaries' shadows.
Prediction
In a dramatic turn up for last years' books, Kolkata fans can look forward to following their glitzy posse all the way to the final.
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