IPL 2018: 3 Tactical Changes which KKR need to make in the Playoffs

Kolkata Knight Riders were probably the weakest team after the 2018 IPL Auctions, and many experts predicted that KKR would be the wooden spoon holders in this year's IPL.

However, the Dinesh Karthik-led side have shocked their critics and surprised fans with their performance. KKR had a number of issues in their team but the team has managed perform well above expectations.

A large part of the credit for KKR's impressive performance goes to their captain Dinesh Karthik. He was criticised as a below-par captain but has managed to bring the best out of his players and has utilised them quite efficiently.

KKR have qualified for the playoffs and will be playing Rajasthan Royals tomorrow, and the Playoffs is going to be the real test for the relatively inexperienced KKR team.

Here are the tactical changes that Dinesh Karthik must enforce to have a chance at victory.

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#1 Bat first

Uthappa looks more comfortable setting targets

Kolkata Knight Riders have always preferred chasing throughout this IPL, and have been decently successful at it. The playoffs though is a completely different ball game as this will be KKR's first do or die game in this year's competition.

KKR have an inexperienced batting line-up, and it would suit them better to set targets rather than chase in a pressure situation. Narine too would have the license to go all out if KKR were to set targets.

In the match against Mumbai Indians, KKR displayed their weakness at chasing huge targets. Uthappa too seems to have a liking for setting targets and the upturn in his form can be a huge asset for KKR in the business end of the tournament.

#2 Dinesh Karthik should bat higher in the batting order

Dinesh has been one of the players of the tournament

Dinesh Karthik is one of the most improved batsmen in recent years. He always had an abundance of talent and was considered as one of the most talented players that India had, but his temperament was a problem earlier.

The KKR captain has worked on that aspect, and in the last 2-3 years, he has completely transformed into a different player. He was extremely impressive in the Nidadhas trophy and he has continued his brilliant form in the IPL as well.

He is KKR's most important batsman and it is therefore important for him to bat higher in the batting order in the playoff stage. He has been coming at number 5 in the batting order, with Rana coming to bat at number 4.

While Rana has been successful at number 4 it is important for the KKR skipper to take the responsibility to bat at number 4 in the next three games as he has scored the maximum number of runs despite batting lower down, and he would have an enormous impact on KKR's chances if he bats higher up.

#3 Use the Overseas Players effectively

Delport should be brought into the Playing X1

KKR have found it difficult to find the right combination of overseas players. They have tried out Johnson, Curran and Searles in their fourth overseas player slot but none of them has made an impact.

Curran and Johnson were dropped from the side after a string of poor performances. Searles was brought in as their replacement but he hasn't been utilised effectively by Dinesh Karthik as the skipper has managed to extract the 20 overs from the other bowlers.

In such a situation, KKR could look at alternatives to Searles as he has bowled just 6 overs in 3 matches and his absence wouldn't cost the team much. KKR can rather bring in Delport who is an all-rounder and help the team with his batting if the inexperienced batting line-up fails in a crunch situation, which will be an added advantage that he can offer.