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KKR IPL 2020 Preview: Can the 2-time champions make it 3? | Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2020 Preview: Can Dinesh Karthik’s team go all the way in IPL 2020?
Kolkata Knight Riders will open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on the 23rd September at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. KKR will be the last team to start their IPL 2020 campaign.
The franchise is the third-most successful side in IPL history, winning titles in 2012 and 2014. Since then, KKR has failed to reach the Final, but qualified for the playoffs in three consecutive years: 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The 2019 season was rather disappointing for the 2-time champions. They started off on a positive note having won four out of their first five matches, losing one in a super over. However, the side tapered off in the middle of the tournament, being on the wrong side of the result in six successive matches. That resulted in 6th place finish as they missed out on the playoffs spot to the Sunrisers Hyderabad on the basis of Net Run Rate.
This year, the Dinesh Karthik-led side will enter the tournament with renewed hopes. The side has appointed former player Brendon McCullum as the head coach, replacing Jacques Kallis. The team management impressed at the auction which was held in December 2019, buying the most expensive player, Pat Cummins for a whopping 15.5 crores. Eoin Morgan and Tom Banton were bought by KKR for 5.5 crores and 1 crore respectively.
Watch: CricBlog caught up with Cricket with Sparsh to discuss KKR’s chances. You can watch the video here.
Talking Points
- Does Narine play?
Ever since KKR bought him at the 2012 auction, Sunil Narine has been an indispensable part of the KKR playing XI. For the first three seasons, the Trinidadian’s mystery spin on a slowish Eden Gardens deck meant that his 4-over spell was economical and put pressure on the opposition batsmen in almost every match. In his first three IPL seasons, Narine picked 67 wickets, which included 20+ scalps in every season at an economy rate of 5.78. Post-2014, his bowling action was remodelled but he has remained one of the best bowlers in the world.
However, his renaissance as one of the MVPs of the KKR setup was the promotion to the opening slot. His batting skills as a pinch hitter in the powerplay coupled with his bowling made him an indispensible player for the Knight Riders.
This season, the story could be different for Narine. With the addition of several overseas players in the squad, KKR may resort to young Banton or Lockie Ferguson who can be a fine bowler in the death overs for the franchise. But, what plays in favour of Narine is that KKR has only one quality spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, and with pitches in UAE expected to be spin-friendly, Narine will be a necessity in the franchise’s starting line-up.
- Who plays at No. 7?
KKR are certain with six of their top seven batsmen that will take the field in the first game. One spot remains up for grabs and it’s uncertain as no player can wholly stake claim over it. At No. 7, it will be interesting to see whether the management opt for a pure batsman like Rinku Singh, Siddhesh Lad or Rahul Tripathi who can play floater considering Narine opens. However, they have an alternative as they can play M Siddharth, Varun Chakravarthy or an extra pace bowler to complement their bowling attack. But as the batting order looks thin if they play a 5th bowler, it is likely that Rinku Sngh plays for KKR.
Squad
Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Harry Gurney, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Siddhesh Lad, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Eoin Morgan, Varun Chakravarthy, Tom Banton, Rahul Tripathi, Chris Green, M Siddharth, Nikhil Naik
Strengths
- Middle order batsman and finishers
One of the major strengths of the franchise is the gun middle order batsman with Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik along with Andre Russell. With Gill and Narine expected as their opening pair, this middle order can take on any attack in the world with arguably two of the best finishers, complemented by one of the world’s finest middle order batsman in Morgan.
The team management suggested promoting Russell at No. 3 as it gives him an opportunity to play maximum balls. That may mean Narine will play as a floater with Gill opening along with Rinku, Lad or Tripathi.
- Foreign talents
KKR are spoilt for choices in the overseas department. Their foreign resources are arguably the best in the league. Given that all players are available and considering the spin-friendly nature of UAE’s venues it is likely that they will play for Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan along with Andre Russell and Pat Cummins. This will also mean that they have decent Indian options to complement their overseas combination in the Playing XI and also have Banton, Lockie Ferguson and Chris Green as quality overseas backups.
Weaknesses
- Spinners
KKR’s lead spinner Kuldeep Yadav had a horrid 2019 season with only four wickets in nine innings before he was dropped from the playing XI. In UAE, the spinner will be backed to put behind that performance, with support from Sunil Narine as another lead spinner.
Varun Chakraborthy, or M Siddharth can play as the third spinner. Also, there is Nitish Rana, who can be a decent option as a part timer.
As KKR planned their team with Eden Gardens as their home venue, they aren’t the best in terms of the spin bowling options compared to the other teams. This may hurt them as the tournament progresses and pitches are expected to be slow.
- Indian pacers and their injury concerns
KKR have a lot of variety when it comes to their Indian pace bowling options. They have Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prasidh Krishna and Sandeep Warrier in their ranks. But, when you dig it deeper it isnt as relaxing as it may seem to be. Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have been injured for a long time – both of them missed the 2019 season due to injury. Nagarkoti has been facing fitness issues since starring in the U-19 World Cup 2018 and is yet to feature in an IPL game. Prasidh Krishna had a dismal 2019 IPL with four wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of over 9.3.
Sandeep Warrier is the lone pacer with no injury issues but isn’t as highly rated as his peers. The fitness of the Indian pace attack is one of the concerns of KKR.
- No backups
KKR has one of the best first teams in the 8-team league, but lack quality backups, especially in the batting and spin bowling department. The franchise doesn’t have an alternative for Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell. Also, DK’s back-up for the keeping slot is Nikhil Naik, who has played only one IPL match till date. Chris Green, who is touted as a backup for Narine, hasn’t played in the IPL yet.
So, it remains to be seen how KKR handles any injury concerns that come their way.
Prediction
KKR’s first team, if and when on song, can give any other side problems. However, over the years, what has mattered in the IPL is squad depth. Considering all the aspects mentioned, playoffs could be a bit far-fetched for the franchise. They are a dangerous side for sure, but need a good run with injuries.
Written by Sarthak Karkhanis. Follow Sarthak on Twitter today.
