IPL 2014: Morne Morkel`s absence helped CSK`s in-form batsmen

Zee Media Bureau/ Suyash Srivastava New Delhi: There was no respite for Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders as they lost their fourth match of the Indian Premier League, this time against Chennai Super Kings by 34 runs. KKR have been experimenting too much with different players, and the decision to drop Morne Morkel in a crucial match against the CSK, is something which is difficult to understand. Morkel had bowled some brilliant spells in the UAE leg of the series, and his exclusion only worked in favour of CSK`s in-form batsmen. CSK`s opening pair of Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum has been in sublime form, and KKR needed some express pace to slow down their momentum. Even though KKR managed to dismiss Smith in the third over of the innings, McCullum went on to score his third half-century of the series. In order to strengthen their batting, KKR replaced Morkel with Andre Russel. The West Indies all-rounder couldn`t do much, as he leaked 25 runs from two overs and was dismissed for just one run. While Gautam Gambhir is struggling with his individual form, the team management needs to get the combination right to bounce back in the series.