Flamboyant unit with hunger for more success

By winning two titles in three seasons, the KKR has crafted its way to the top of the Indian Premier League’s hall of fame.

April 06, 2015 01:06 am | Updated April 21, 2017 06:00 pm IST

By winning two titles in three seasons, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has crafted its way to the top of the Indian Premier League’s hall of fame.

Shah Rukh Khan’s presence, as team owner, has made KKR the most flamboyant side of the tournament. Captain Gautam Gambhir, who fashioned both triumphs in 2012 and 2014, will be hoping to extricate the team from its pendulous state and put it on a consistent plane. Unlike the other double title-holder Chennai Super Kings, KKR’s performance has oscillated between outstanding and mediocre in the seven seasons so far.

The die-hard KKR fan will now be led to believe that the second title will end the protracted essay of trials and tribulations for the side. This conviction stems from the way the team completed one of its most consistent showings of all time while winning the title last year. It won nine matches on the trot to accomplish the triumph. The turnaround last year was quite spectacular as KKR recovered from five losses in the first seven rounds before winning all their remaining matches, including the playoffs and final, with consummate ease.

Robin Uthappa, the man who played a key role in India’s ICC World T20 triumph in 2007, fashioned KKR’s ascension to the crown almost single-handedly. Erratic for the greater part of the IPL, Uthappa rediscovered his devastating form with the bat once the Knights decided to promote him as an opener.

The new-look team promises a good balance with the introduction of Uthappa, Manish Pandey, South African pacer Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav and Piyush Chawla last season. While adding a variety of spinners, including Australian Brad Hogg and South African Johan Botha (in place of injured Chris Lynn) alongside the Indian youngster K.C. Cariappa in its stable this season, the bowling attack now looks more balanced with Morkel and Umesh spearheading the pace department.

The late clearance of the enigmatic West Indian Sunil Narine will further embolden KKR’s bowling. It will be crucial how Narine, who has not played an official match since being banned for an illegal action in the CLT20 last October, regains his form and confidence after the long break. But, his ‘clearance’ on Sunday has definitely revved up the side ahead of its opener against Mumbai Indians.

STAR WATCH:

Robin Uthappa

Uthappa won the Orange Cap as the best batsman of the 2014 season, scoring 660 runs. In the process, he created a new T20 record of having scored the most 40-plus runs in a single season and overtook former CSK batsman Mathew Hayden. Having played brilliantly in the recently-concluded domestic season, Uthappa is likely to remain at the helm of KKR’s batting might.

Sunil Narine: The West Indian spinner will look to spin the web of magic around the opposition batsmen once again. The highest wicket-taker for KKR with a tally of 67 wickets in his three seasons so far, Narine is the wrecker-in-chief with his deadly off-spin variations, playing a stellar role in both KKR triumphs. The team wins half the battle psychologically as the presence of Narine lowers the confidence of the opposition batsmen.

STRENGTH

The side has shopped fairly well over the years, striking a good balance in all departments. Has the capacity to upstage any side in the tournament

WEAKNESS

Team’s fortunes have revolved around the performances of a few key names. Choosing ideal combinations in different conditions can be tricky

TRACK RECORD:

Season 1: Group stage

Season 2: Group stage

Season 3: Group stage

Season 4: Playoffs

Season 5: Champion

Season 6: Group stage

Season 7: Champion

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