IPL 2017: SWOT analysis of Kolkata Knight Riders

#4 Threats:

Will Chris Lynn finally be given his due chance in the IPL?

A glaring observation by the cricketing pundits in the IPL is that KKR has had the tendency to underutilise players who could have been more effective in a particular season. The likes of Mohammad Shami (who was not even given a game for the Knights despite being associated with them for two years!), Ryan ten Doeschate, Laxmi Ratan Shukla and even Chris Lynn are proven match winners on their day, yet failed to find favour with the KKR setup for reasons unknown.

Always a slow starter, KKR put themselves through unnecessary pressure wherein they are caught up in must-win situations by the business end of the tournament in almost every season. While they were knocked off by Rajasthan Royals in 2015 in their last must-win encounter, in 2016, they were ousted in the Eliminator.

Even when KKR won the championship in 2012 and 2014, they were, on both occasions, caught in a bottom half position in the IPL standings midway into the tournament. Though they managed to roll the dice and pick up momentum and eventually emerge triumphant, expecting them to do the same every time is a tough ask.

Lastly, it would be interesting to note how KKR play on a surface which has been revamped under the authority of Sourav Ganguly. Gone are the days when the Eden pitch would turn from ball one, a reason KKR were unbeatable at home. With a tinge of grass that offers swing, KKR’s top order would face an interesting contest when they go up against the likes of Mitchell McCleneghan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Jasprit Bumrah. Will the spinners be as effective? A question that can only be unravelled in the upcoming weeks.