IPL 2019: Three tactical changes that Kolkata Knight Riders need to get back to winning ways

When the race of IPL 2019 begun, CSK took the early lead and consolidated it to emerge far ahead of the other teams. The only team that was proving tough contender for the yellow brigade was KKR, thanks to an energy drink known as Dre Russ. With 3 wins in the first 4 matches, the team was comfortably heading towards the playoffs.

However, there was a different fate planned for them. KKR went on to lose five games on a trot (a jinx that still continues). From a place from where their playoffs berth was almost assured, they have been left with nothing. From a commanding second spot, they are now sitting on sixth positin, just 1 defeat away from throwing their fate in the hands of other teams.

On this note let us take a look at a few tactical changes, that they need to make in order to get back to winning ways.

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#1 Make Shubhman Gill open with Chris Lynn

EnKKR need someone to bat through the innings (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

We cannot deny the fact that Sunil Narine hasn't done anything special with the bat in IPL 2019. One might argue that he helps the team to make the most of the powerplay, but the reality is that KKR has enough power to compensate for the scoring rate towards the end. What they need is a player who can take responsibility and bat through the innings.

Therefore, Shubman Gill can be made to open with Chris Lynn and Narine can be made to bat down the order. Lynn can fire from the start, while Gill can take some time to settle down. This will also help the Knight Riders to prevent the regular loss of wickets, which has been their main problem this season.

With Gill batting as an opener, it will help Dinesh Karthik to make the most of every player in the playing XI. We have seen that Gill can neutralize all the dot deliveries once he settles down.

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#2 Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik need to bat up the order

Picture courtesy: iplt20.com

This has been the biggest problem for the Knight Riders. Their skipper and Dre Russ have batted down the order (at No. 5 and 6 mostly), which have prevented the team from making the most of them. For instance, Andre Russell batted at No. 6, even after the fact that KKR was chasing a gigantic 214. The same thing was witnessed in their game against SRH as well.

Well, these two are the most dependable players in the team. But they can't help if they are batting in the lower order, where they neither get any time to be settled nor can they play sufficient deliveries to turn the match around.

For the solution, Nitish Rana can bat at No. 3, and either of Russell or Karthik can bat at No. 4 depending upon the situation of the game, and other at No. 5.

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#3 Bring Prasidh Krishna for Rinku Singh and Kuldeep Yadav for Piyush Chawla

KKR's spin trio, which used to give nightmares to the opposition, has been taken on demand (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

Bowling has always been the strength of KKR. Unfortunately, the failure to use them properly has made thee matters worse for the team. The spin trio, which used to give nightmares to the opposition, has been taken on demand. The pacers have also failed to create any impact.

DK needs to trust Kuldeep Yadav. Although he has been going through a dry season, he is the man who can bring KKR's train back on track. He can be brought in for inconsistent and out-of-form Piyush Chawla, who has scalped just 6 wickets in 10 matches. Although it would be a tough call, it can prove to be a masterstroke for the team.

Another change can be in the form of Prasidh Krishna, who should be chipped in for Rinku. This is because KKR has enough depth in their batting lineup. Prasidh has had a nightmarish season so far, but he can be an asset for the team if used properly.

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