KKR seek to end run of consistent Super Kings
KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) go into the back end of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) league fixtures seeking the kind of consistency that seems hardwired into Chennai Super Kings (CSK), their opponents here on Thursday.
CSK have the highest victory percentage (60.68) in IPL history and have shown that a forced twoyear break has not rusted their ability to win in a format where change is the only constant.
CSK retained the maximum of three players -- MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina -and by buying Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo ensured the core remained even though the team was banned for two years. The addition of Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Shane Watson makes it look like a Dad’s Army but coach Stephen Fleming explained why he is okay with it.
“I value experience and it is not about a player’s age but what skillset he has. Watson’s a good example; very professional in what he does, Bravo’s another one, Dhoni is not a bad example either. So the guys we are talking about, I think, still have a lot to give and the calmness around the group plays a big part. And under pressure experience counts…,” he said.
KKR too have walked the CSK way. Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Robin Uthappa, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla have stayed since 2015.
What also unites the teams this term is the struggle to get the bowling unit to be efficient. KKR leaked 219 against Delhi
AT RECEIVING END
Daredevils, were spanked by Chris Gayle and KL Rahul of Kings XI Punjab and failed to defend 202 against CSK. They have struggled at the death, haven’t taken a wicket in the last four powerplays, and Narine
hasn’t done that in two games and seven overs, conceding 73.
“The wickets also play a role. If it is flat and bouncy, a lot of runs get scored,” said Shivam Mavi, KKR’S 19-year-old speedster.
CSK too have conceded over 200 twice. And they let Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) score 197 and Delhi Daredevils 198 despite young South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who can be a handful here, taking 1/26 in 4 overs.
GOOD CHASERS
But CSK back themselves to successfully chase any target. In Dhoni, who comes here after a 22-ball 51 against DD, Bravo, Ambati Rayudu and Sam Billings they have the personnel who can do that.
“We are playing high-scoring games; some of it has to do with conditions, some with bad bowling under pressure and some with great batsmanship like Andre Russell against us which was matched by Bravo, MS and Sam Billings… You can lose three or four of those games and you are at the bottom. It is keeping us on the edge and making us uncomfortable about each game, which is a good thing for a coach,” said Fleming.