IPL 2017: DD vs KKR - 5 factors of winning

#3 Strategy

KKR have produced a rabbit out of the hat by sending Sunil Narine as an opener

The Daredevils have relied on picking up early wickets so that their spinners could apply a stranglehold on the remaining opposition batsmen during the middle-overs. And this time with an efficient top-order up against them, it will be interesting to see if their pacers can strike with the new ball.

Chris Lynn’s unfortunate injury has opened up a slot at the top of the order. The Knight Riders did not revert to the option of using Robin Uthappa and instead pulled off a major surprise by nominating Narine as Gambhir’s opening partner. The move paid rich dividends in the game against Kings XI Punjab. The left-hander smashed an 18-ball 37 to vindicate the decision. Even though he fell cheaply against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team management should continue the experiment.