IPL 2019, Match 43: KKR vs RR – Must-do things for KKR to halt their losing streak
Kolkata Knight Riders host Rajasthan Royals in a must-win encounter for both the sides at the Eden Gardens. The two teams currently languishing at the bottom half of the table are in desperate need of the points on offer. KKR have 8 points in 10 matches and currently occupy the 6th spot on the table. RR too have struggled with inconsistency, with 6 points in 10 matches, sitting at the bottom.
Kolkata’s sudden drop of form has been mystifying, to say the least. After starting the season brilliantly, they have now lost 5 matches in a row which has made each and every game a virtual knockout. There is plenty wrong with the current set-up of the side and the management will have to come up with some innovative strategies if they are to arrest the decline.
Here we analyse a few things which KKR could do differently to bring about a turnaround in their fortunes:
Promote Andre Russell up the order
The rules are simple. Your best batsmen should face the most deliveries. And for KKR, there hasn’t been a better batsman than Andre Russell. But, it has been staggering to see Kolkata’s lack of flexibility when it comes to their batting order. Russell has scored 392 runs at an average of 65.33 and a strike-rate of 217.17 so far. The Caribbean all-rounder has generally batted down the order at No.6 or No.7, playing the role of the finisher. But with the KKR middle-order failing to provide an impetus to the innings, it’s time Russell gets promoted up the order to No.4 or 5 to make an even bigger impact. Kolkata depend heavily on their batters to put up a big score on the board as their bowling attack lacks the penetration. Russell could add the much-needed spark batting up the order, which KKR have been sorely lacking.
Shubman Gill as an opener, please?
The biggest crime that KKR have perhaps committed this season is to think of Shubman Gill as a No.7 batsman. Gill is not a finisher and still does not have the power-hitting in his game to inflict serious damage in the death overs. What he is though is an elegant top-order player who could find the gaps with the utmost of ease. He belongs at the top of the order in the batting line-up, where he could time the ball and show all his finesse in the powerplay overs. Gill needs some deliveries to settle in and KKR’s management needs to do a better job of harnessing his talents. KKR’s designated openers – Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn have been widely inconsistent. The strategy of two pinch hitters at the top worked well for a while. It’s now time for a serious re-think and one of India’s highest touted talents should be unleashed at the top.
Bring back Kuldeep
Yes, Kuldeep Yadav is having a poor season by his own high standards so far in his young career. The Indian chinaman has only picked up 4 wickets in 9 matches so far and has often been hit out of the park. But the fact remains that Kuldeep is still the biggest weapon in KKR’s bowling arsenal with his clever variations. Kuldeep only needs one decent spell to get back into the rhythm and the captain and the team management needs to show more faith in his abilities. With KKR’s bowling often looking hapless, they cannot afford to have their best bowler warming the bench.
