Updated: September 23, 2020 2:51:50 pm
KKR IPL 2020: Sunil Narine and Andre Russell will be key to KKR’s success. (KKR’s Twitter)
Can Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) win it?
They can, if unlike last year, they don’t restrict Andre Russell to power shots and also, if they can throw a roulette wheel to complement Sunil Narine.
What can work for them?
KKR has many match winners in this format. Russell provides the factor x. Eoin Morgan brings his world-class hitting prowess in limited overs cricket and also his leadership skills on and off the field. Pat Cummins’ strike rate as a bowler in T20 international games is 20. His economy rate is below seven runs per over. Cummins is also a very useful low-medium hitter.
And then there’s Narine. Last year, even in the green fields of Eden Gardens, the Trinidadian performed some magnificent spells. The slow territories of the United Arab Emirates should make it even more powerful. KKR has match-winning bowlers and hitters. That is your greatest strength.
Read | IPL 2020: Andre Russell breaks the glass in the nets before KKR vs MI
Stability gives KKR an edge. The core of the team remains the same, with a couple of positive additions in Morgan and Cummins. Both will improve the team. Stability and experience should also help the side stay calm during a lean phase.
Where they can falter
One of the reasons KKR didn’t qualify for the playoffs last period was the failure of their spinners at Narine. Kuldeep Yadav had a forgettable season, with just four wickets from nine games. The KKR squad is overloaded with fast players. Quite understandable as they were going to play their home games at Eden Gardens. Covid’s forced switch from IPL to the UAE may expose its relative shortcomings in the spinning department. On slow, overloaded pitches, the key might be to slow the ball down, rather than the 90 mph lightning bolts.
Also, KKR relies too much on its recruits abroad. Only four foreign players can play in a match. The Indian brigade will have to step up. The think tank retained Dinesh Karthik as their captain even though the ‘goalie-hitter was a bit boring last season. KKR changed coaches and hired Brendon McCullum in place of Jacques Kallis. However, with Morgan on his side, the leadership vacuum can be filled.
KKR IPL 2020 Team Player List: Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad, Player List
Will they think of …
Playing Russell in order: Russell played some scorching shots last period. His strike rate was north of 204. Russell, however, hit too deep and had to fight many losing battles. The Jamaican was not happy. He spoke publicly about it. In a recent media interaction, KKR mentor David Hussey, however, said that team management might seriously think about sending Russell to the front this season. According to Hussey, if Russell gets to play 60 balls, he can even score twice a hundred.
Who is the new kid in class?
England T20I starter Tom Banton comes with a great reputation. The 21-year-old has a strike rate of 154 in this format. Hussey has called him “a better version of Kevin Pietersen.” However, since Russell, Narine, Morgan, and Cummins would be automatic picks like the four foreigners when they were fit, it would be interesting to see how KKR uses the new kid.
Cricket quotient
Winners: 2012, 2014
Last 5 years: 3 playoffs and 2 group stage finals
Quarantine quotient: High
The international experience and also the experience of staying in biobubbles for those who played in the international series in England and the Caribbean Premier League will help them to stay in a good position regarding pandemic restrictions.
Average age: 26
Total experience: 2,087 T20 matches
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