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

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.