IPL 2021: How can KKR make a comeback in the league?

Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) got suspended, KKR lost five out of seven matches that they played. There was a glimpse of hope for the two times IPL champions after they won their first match of the 2021 season. KKR had defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match of IPL 2021. But the journey after the first match was disappointing.

KKR lost four matches in a row after the first-day win. But what would irk the team and their fans is the nature of those losses. KKR usually lets matches slip away from their hands when they are in a position of strength.

With six wickets in hand, KKR needed 31 runs off 30 balls against Mumbai Indians. It should have been an easy win but KKR lost that match by 10 runs. In their next match as well, RCB was reeling at 9-2 with Kohli back in the dugout. Even Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for 25 runs. But KKR could not stop AB De Villiers and Glenn Maxwell from making 98 runs in the last seven overs. It helped RCB put a 204 runs target at the loss of four wickets on a sluggish Chepauk track.

KKR performed in a similar manner in most of the matches and let it get away. Even the matches they won were usually more about the other team falling short. Thereby, KKR has so far failed to succeed in the 2021 league.

KKR should strengthen the batting order and make it stable

The pairing of Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill had started well with 53 and 72 runs partnerships. But it fell away with just 76 partnership runs in five consecutive matches combined. Thereby, KKR should explore the possibility of opening with Tripathi and Rana. Then Shubman Gill could bat at number 3 and provide some stability in the middle overs.

Although the middle-order trio of Morgan, Karthik, and Russell look solid on paper, it should get analyzed. Their batting positions should be varied based on particular situations and matchups.

On the other hand, KKR should give Pawan Negi a chance instead of using Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan. They have failed to perform with both bat and ball. Moreover, it would free up two overseas slots for KKR to resolve more pressing issues.

Cummins's position at number 8 is justified as he has done well with the bat a remains a threat with the ball. Prasidh Krishna is an important player in the KKR line up and he has usually given a consistent performance. Varun Chakravarty has also been economical throughout the tournament so far. But for the last slot, KKR needs to choose someone who could pick up wickets in bulk.

Lockie Ferguson and Ben Cutting fit the criteria to ay in the last slot. While Cutting can play on slightly tough pitches, Ferguson can pick up wickets on batting-friendly pitches.

KKR would also have the option of bringing in Kuldeep Yadav in place of Prasidh Krishna on slower pitches. Thereby, it would not disturb the overall balance of the team.

Thus, the KKR batting lineup could extend up to number 9 and they can bat freely and aggressively. The bowling unit would also strengthen and get varied based on the conditions. It would make the team more stable and increase their success rate in the tournament.

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