IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders

IPL 2021:
Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to end their trophy drought in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign within the last two seasons of the IPL was quite similar. They started by hitting the right notes but all the tuning seemed to go haywire as the tournament progressed. Their decision to switch captains from Dinesh Karthik to Eoin Morgan mid-way through the tournament last year did not yield the desired result but Morgan is a proven customer and one can hope that he would bounce back strong this year.
Barring Morgan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Pat Cummins, KKR don’t have anyone who can claim to be somebody of international cricket currently but in Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, and a young pace attack comprising Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, they have a pretty well-balanced side.

Strengths
The Spin department
KKR has two of the most experienced IPL spinners in Sunil Narine and Harbhajan Singh. Then there is Varun Chakravarthy, who has proven his worth last season carrying the load of the KKR spin department. Shakib al Hasan is a match-winner on his day. Kuldeep Yadav may have lost some form but on his day, he are often a wicket-taker.
KKR has two of the most experienced IPL spinners in Sunil Narine and Harbhajan Singh. Then there is Varun Chakravarthy, who has proven his worth last season carrying the load of the KKR spin department. Shakib al Hasan is a match-winner on his day. Kuldeep Yadav may have lost some form but on his day, he are often a wicket-taker.
Foreign Contingent
KKR’s foreign contingent is one among the simplest if not the simplest in IPL 2021. Sunil Narine and Andre Russell can win a match on their own. Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson have been consistent enough to warrant a place in the starting XI. Shakib was a part of the successful KKR and SRH sides. Tim Seifert and Ben Cutting are one among the simplest foreign back-ups a team could invite .
Weakness
Wicket-keeping options
Barring Dinesh Karthik there is no recognized Indian wicket-keeper on the side. While Sheldon Jackson is a viable option, his batting abilities are pale compared to Dinesh Karthik. Tim Seifert is an alternative choice that’s available for KKR but being a gap batsman and a foreign player, the whole complexion of the team will need to be changed to accommodate him.

Opportunity
Replacing Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine has been mediocre at the best in recent years but has won sporadic matches for KKR. If KKR is ready to change the opening pair to Tripathi and Gill – which they did in the backend of the last IPL – Shakib could be the perfect candidate to replace Sunil Narine. If they need a seam-bowling option, they have Ben Cutting. His lower-order hitting will provide Andre Russell more freedom.
Young pace bowlers to shine
Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sandeep Warrier and Vaibhav Arora are some young pacers who are going to be looking to interrupt into the starting XI for KKR.
Threats
Sunil Narine and Andre Russell
The Sunil Narine opening experiment has failed more times than it’s succeeded. If KKR continues to stick with Narine opening the innings, it pushes all the players down a position which in turn, hampers the KKR batting line up. Andre Russell is one among the most important hitters in world cricket immediately and KKR’s best death bowler. His inconsistency and fitness will keep KKR management on its toes.
Form of the Spinners
Though the spin department is one among KKR’s core strengths, their form could also be a explanation for worry. Sunil Narine isn’t as effective after his action came under scrutiny. Varun Chakravarthy would be returning from an injury, Harbhajan Singh is lacking match practice, Kuldeep Yadav remains struggling to seek out an area within the T20 set-up. KKR will have to be wary of picking the right spin combination going into the tournament.