The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have experienced consecutive to misfortunes in their last two games against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Mumbai Indians (MI). KKR have fallen to eighth place in the league standings after a good start to the competition. KKR settled for a par score of 185/6 in 20 overs against MI after failing to take advantage of the strong foundation provided by Venkatesh Iyer’s century.
KKR should have received more than 200 after a strong start. In answer, MI broke little perspiration as they pursued down the objective in a simple 17.5 overs. In their match against SRH, they yielded 228/4 toward the finish of their 20 overs, because of 100 from Harry Stream and 50 years from Aiden Markaram.
In response, KKR made an effort with half-centuries from Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh despite a poor start. However, the score proved to be too much for KKR, and they lost the match by 23 runs. In light of this, let’s talk about three KKR players who need to step up.
1) Andre Russell
The dangerous West Indian all-rounder, who is known for taking out opponents, has not yet performed up to his own high expectations. The Jamaican has scored 35, 0, 1, 3, and 21* in five matches, but he has yet to astonish fans this season. Russell has always been particularly concerned about the numerous injuries.
Russell has only bowled in two matches with the ball. While he dazzled against SRH, getting 3 wickets for 22 takes off, he offered 17 runs in the solitary over he bowled against MI.
2) Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Afghan opener, got off to a good start in the competition with scores of 22 and 57 in the first two matches. However, the youngster has lost his last three games by scores of 15, 0 and 8. Because he is currently keeping world-class players like Litton Das and Jason Roy out of the playing XI, the opener will have to step in for KKR.
3) Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy had an extraordinary beginning to the IPL as he got back with brilliant bowling figures in the initial two matches of the opposition. The secret spinner offered only 26 runs in his 4 overs and got a wicket in the primary game. In the second match between KKR and RCB, he stunned the batting lineup by giving up just 15 runs and taking 4 wickets in 3.4 overs.
But the spinner hasn’t lived up to expectations in the last three games, giving up 106 runs in 10 overs and only taking 2 wickets at a 10.60 economy rate. In order for KKR to take control of the games in the middle overs, he will need to get back into his best rhythm and bowl in tandem with Sunil Narine.