IPL 2018 | KKR’s underestimated bowling arsenal smells of success if used effectively - KKR bowling analysis
Kolkata Knight Riders’ lack of batting prowess has been talked about so intensely that one almost overlooks the in-depth bowling arsenal the two-time IPL champions have. Despite the disastrous mega-auction, the management has roped in a great balance of spinners, pacers, and all-rounders.
The biggest fear for KKR fans after the final roster was updated post mega-auction was injuries to three of the most injury-prone names in international cricket. And to their fortune, while Chris Lynn and Andre Russell got injured and managed to get back on track just in time, Mitchell Starc left it too late and consequently got sidelined when the season was less than two weeks to start.
Starc was undoubtedly KKR’s strike bowler and his absence has forced the side to change the strategy all over again. Though Tom Curran came as the last minute replacement for Starc, it goes without saying that the 22-year-old wouldn’t bring in the same sting as the Aussie speedster.
Power, pace, movement, and perfection - Starc was able to blend in all of that into a single delivery that saw the ball weaving its way past the batsmen, carefully evading the willow before head-butting the stumps on its way. Compared to that, Curran’s strength mainly lies in his deceptive slow bowling and inch-perfect yorkers in the death overs.
Given his inexperience, the 22-year-old English pacer is definitely not a direct replacement for Starc, and KKR CEO rightly mentioned it even before Curran was revealed. This leaves KKR with the veteran Mitchell Johnson to step in and lead the charge. He has played 48 games in the IPL so far, clinching 59 wickets in the process at an average of 25.18.
While one might argue that the 36-year-old Queensland pacer doesn’t retain the same rigour, aggression, and pace, which once intimated batsmen, Johnson ended his Big Bash League stint with Perth Scorchers with 20 wickets in 19 matches at an economy rate of 6.15. Experience has given him more insight and if one believed Ashish Nehra was an effective T20 bowler in his dusk, Johnson would be equally significant for KKR’s campaign provided he stays fit.
Compared to other sides in IPL, whose team roster glow with big and relevant names in international cricket, KKR
Though the Windies player has mellowed down a lot since then with his bowling action questioned more than necessary, he still has the ability to check runs almost at will and also had a promising batting stint last season. His retention was more than expected despite his declining efficacy after a terrific 2017 and alongside the prodigious Kuldeep Yadav, KKR
The other spin option – Piyush Chawla – was pretty much a shock for all. Almost all experts had predicted Manish Pandey to be one of the RTMs for KKR apart from Kuldeep Yadav and Robin Uthappa, and Chawla’s retention only shows how highly the franchise rates his abilities. Never the stand out player, apart from the 2014 IPL final, Chawla’s strength has always been to stay under the radar and contribute holistically. The leg-spinner has been in KKR for a long time and apart from his brilliant googly - which has grown more suitable for T20s over time - he has been a handy lower-order batsman as well.
Though 126 wickets in 129 IPL games don’t reflect standout figures for him, his wealth of experience still remains invaluable. And Chennai Super Kings willing to pay 4.2 crores for his services at the mega-auctions clearly reflected it. Both KKR and CSK have won the championship twice and are familiar with the art of winning. Hardly has any IPL team won the league with its sheer power of superstars, but it has always been down to the perfect blend of experience and grit.
Apart from the three spinners, KKR will highly bank of Andre Russell’s four overs to give the rest of the bowlers some breathing space and scope for experiment. The injury-returned Windies man is undoubtedly the most significant cog in their wheel. Not only does he fit a T20 all-rounder’s definition perfectly, but is also KKR’s bridge between the batsmen and the bowlers. Not the sharpest of bowlers, but on an Eden track, Russell’s pace would be tremendously effective for KKR.
Vinay Kumar is yet another dark horse of IPL. He has played over 100 matches in the tournament and has all the experience in the world to bowl in the opening, middle and death overs. KKR’s decision to invest in the U-19 stars Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti has been widely seen as a gamble. Despite both the youngsters coming off a brilliant tournament, it is highly unlikely that the management would include them regularly in the playing eleven.
Given the batting friendly pitches of most IPL venues, KKR’s usual side would likely include three spinners- Narine, Chawla
Given all the strengths and weaknesses that KKR have in all departments, one cannot deny the fact that the Knights’ first eleven would be capable of beating any team. And they have the perfectly balanced bowling arsenal to restrict any side within 140, regardless of the players, if used effectively.
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments