IPL 2018, KXIP vs KKR: 3 things KKR must do to get back to winning ways

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), started the IPL pretty well, but have suffered two consecutive defeats. Their heavy 102 runs defeat to Mumbai Indians in their last game, not only would be a cause for deep worry and concern for the franchise and their fans, it also weakens their NRR.

As it stands currently, only SRH have qualified for the playoffs, and every other team apart from DD(as they can’t make it to the playoffs), would ideally need to win all their remaining games in order to make it to the playoffs and more importantly finish in the top two positions.

KKR are entering into this clash against KXIP at Indore after a humiliating defeat against MI at home. Such is the nature of the IPL, that this team in a matter of few days must forget what has happened and must look to bounce back.

In some good news for them, Shubman Gill would return to their playing XI for this match against KXIP. That would help KKR a lot as the youngster has shown a lot of promise after being pushed up the batting order.

Keeping in mind their last two defeats, here are 3 things KKR must do to get back to winning ways:

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Senior players must step up and take responsibility

With a mix of experienced T20 players coupled with some youngsters, KKR has got a good squad to play with. But what’s been hurting their game has been the lack of consistency from their senior, experienced players.

Batsmen like Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, and Andre Russell need to step up and deliver on a more consistent basis. It’s good to get the quickfire 20’s and 30’s but one expects the likes of Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa who bat at the top of the order, to make full use of that and score big.

If you have a look at the sides that are doing well in this IPL, one of the reasons for that would be the top three or four batsmen have converted their 30’s into more substantial scores. KKR could take a cue from the likes of KL Rahul, Kane Williamson, Ambati Rayudu for consistent performances.

These three players have enormous talent and potential, what’s ailed them and KKR is the fact that all of them haven’t clicked regularly. Robin Uthappa has shown signs of good form by scoring 273 runs in 11 games, Chris Lynn has scored 298 runs in the same number of games, but both of them haven’t gone to get a big score yet.

And with their skipper, Dinesh Karthik taking on the mantle of the finisher, something he has done really well this IPL, KKR would be worried about Andre Russell. Undoubtedly amongst the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball in world cricket currently, he hasn’t been completely fit.

He has been unable to complete his quota of four overs and apart from the blitz against CSK at the start of the IPL, Andre’s bat hasn’t done much talking. KKR will definitely trust their player to deliver, but the question to be asked is can he perform to the best of his abilities? KKR certainly need him to, in order to make it to the playoffs.

They need to decide their batting lineup and not tamper around with it

Shubman Gill has been moved up and down the order

KKR under a new skipper, Dinesh Karthik after playing ten games should have zeroed in roles for each batsman, and they should have got designated positions in the batting order by now.

That’s not been the case. There’s been too much chopping and changing, owing to injuries and lack of consistency from their batsmen. The move to play Shubman Gill at the number six or seven position after the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell didn’t make any sense at all.

Looking at how the team has fared with the bat and also with Shubman Gill returning to their side after an injury, he showed be played at the one down slot following the openers Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine. Shubman has immense talent and should be promoted up the order.

The middle order needs to have players who can be enforcers and take the game away from the opposition quickly. That’s where the likes of Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell fit the bill.

Each batsman on their day can demolish oppositions. It’s about taking responsibility and delivering on that. And DK must be sure of his batting order and stick to them, even if they don’t perform too well. Take SRH for example, they hardly have made any changes to their batting line up and the results are there for everyone to see.

KKR must ensure they have their plans laid out properly. There’s no time for too much experimentation now as every game counts. They need to back their batsmen, give them fixed roles and hope they can put their best foot forward.

KKR need to take a closer look at their fast bowling options

Can Shivam Mavi be trusted in pressure situations?

KKR have been a team who have based their bowling line up around spinners. And barring the carnage against MI, their spinners have been fairly successful. They can be thrust into any match situation and are able to deliver, be it in the power play overs or the death overs.

But the problem arises with the lack of depth in their fast bowling options. Mitchell Johnson came into the IPL after a fine BBL season but has looked a pale shadow of what he was in his heyday. To add to their woes, Andre Russell hasn’t been at full fitness which means he can’t be at his best with the ball.

It has left too much for their Indian fast bowler in their team to do. They started with Vinay Kumar who had two horrible games. It was DK’s weak resource management skills which led to Vinay Kumar’s showing. He was asked to bowl the first over and come back for the 20th over, asking for too much from his fast bowler.

With Shivam Mavi unlikely to play in today’s high-pressure clash against KXIP, is it worth bringing back Vinay Kumar into the playing XI? Having captained Karnataka and with a very good record in the domestic circuit, Vinay Kumar will able to soak in the pressure and can contribute.

If he’s handled better and bowled in spells, he could well be the missing link in KKR’s bowling unit. With rather glim options in their reserves, KKR should opt for the experience of Vinay Kumar to bowl in tandem with Tom Curran.

Given the horrible start to his IPL, the feeling of wanting to do well and deliver on the faith bestowed on him would propel Vinay Kumar to perform if he’s picked. DK needs to use him well and for someone who swings the ball early on, he won’t be a bad option to have in your side, especially heading into such a crunch fixture when experience will play a big factor, experience in playing under such pressure conditions.