IPL 2020: 3 hard questions for KKR after their loss to MI

Kolkata Knight Riders started their Dream 11 IPL campaign last night against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Kolkata Knight Rider's hopes for a positive beginning were ruthlessly crushed by Mumbai as the blue team registered a commanding 49 run victory.

That's that from Match 5 as the Mumbai Indians win by 49 runs.Scorecard - https://t.co/xDQdI54h5N #KKRvMI pic.twitter.com/j58dPCYVQl

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) September 23, 2020

While this was Kolkata Knight Rider's first game of the campaign, and no panic buttons will be pressed just yet, the team's think tanks are a little worried at the night's one-sided contest.

A large part of a team's IPL success hinges on their ability to find their footing early and garner the points right from the start. With that being said, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to quickly address some glaring errors to be better prepared for their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 3 days.

Tough pill to swallow, but still early days. We always keep faith in our Knights! We will be back stronger! 💪🏼#KKRvMI #KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/8cvms4Sgo3

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 23, 2020

Difficult questions for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after their loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2020

#3 Sunil Narine stint as an IPL opener over?

Sunil Narine struggling against the short length [Pc: Iplt20.com]

Kolkata Knight Riders sending Sunil Narine to open was one of IPL's true masterstrokes. In recent times though, the idea has seemed to have run its course.

Let's talk numbers. In the 2018 edition of the IPL, Sunil Narine amassed 357 runs at a whopping strike rate of 189.89 at an average of 22.31. But in the very next season in IPL 2019, his run tally dropped to a meagre 143 in 12 outings with no 50+ score among them.

While his strike rate was still an impressive 166.27, his average was an unflattering 17.23. This indicated that the novelty of the West Indian pinch hitter was wearing off, and oppositions had developed counter-measures against him.

This was seen in the match against the Mumbai Indians. Shorter length deliveries, laced with raw pace, left Sunil Narine hapless. Despite one six, Sunil Narine never got going and was outdone by a quick James Pattinson delivery, sending him back to the dugout for 9 (10).

In a chase of 195, an innings like that is counter-productive. As the IPL progresses, if Sunil Narine fails to adapt to the quicks, he may be forced to move lower down the order. This may not be a bad move.

Coming in to bat later would enable the pinch-hitter to provide final flourishes in the death overs. In addition to this, he will have the ability to face spinners against whom he is comfortable hoicking the ball. Either way, Kolkata Knight Riders would be wise to have a few more opening combinations in their mind for this IPL.

Who will win todays IPL match, click here to find out.

#2 KKR continue to be over-reliant on IPL's Superman Andre Russell?

Are KKR over-reliant on Andre Russell?

IPL 2020 awaited the arrival of arguably its biggest hitter. While Andre Russell did make an appearance, the fireworks seemed severely lacking.

You cannot pin too much blame on the Superman from Jamaica. He walked in with Kolkata Knight Riders limping at 77-4 after 11.4 overs. With 119 required off 50 deliveries, Kolkata Knight Riders were again in a situation only Andre Russell could save them from.

Pure Muscle Russell magic! 😍✨@Russell12A #KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL https://t.co/L3e75vXgt3

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 23, 2020

However, it was not meant to be. When Andre Russell walked off at 15.1 overs owing to a scintillating delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, KKR's scorecard read 100-5. Needing 96 to win from 29 balls, the ending was written on the walls. Andre Russell had failed to produce the magic he had delivered for his franchise in IPL 2019.

This begs the question: Are KKR leaving too much in the hands of Andre Russell? While the batsman before him tried to score briskly, the required acceleration seemed to be lacking (the run-rate was just 6.6 rpo when Andre Russell walked out to the middle).

While Andre Russell's blitzkriegs can save the team at times, it is up to the top order to provide him with a solid platform. A talk among the top order batters to offer better clarity on their respective role seems to be the need of the hour this IPL.

#3 Planning or implementation: What did the KKR bowlers lack?

Conceding 195 runs in Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where 160 is touted to be a competitive total, implies something went wrong for the bowling team.

The strongest evidence of this was the lengths bowled to Mumbai Indian's captain Rohit Sharma. Be it IPL or international cricket, Rohit Sharma is known for his pull shot. Any ball that is even a hint short will be dispatched by the Mumbai Indian's captain deep into the stands. In his 80 (54)-run inning, 45 runs came within the arc on his leg-side. 35 runs were purely from his pull shot which granted him two boundaries and four maximums.

Still, the pacers persisted with the short length and continued to get hammered. The biggest culprit among the bowlers was Pat Cummins, who refused to alter his length and continued to send down short-pitched deliveries (his returns of 49-0 in four overs is no accident).

Dinesh Karthik mentioned in the post-match conference that Pat Cummins and Eoin Morgan had just completed their quarantine on match day. This may indicate that they would be in better shape as the IPL progresses.

Still, bowling to the opposition's glaring strengths indicates a lack of planning or execution. Whatever the reason was, Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping to rectify it and quickly target a win to wash out the bad taste left by their IPL tournament opener.

Cummins, Morgan, Banton - All aboard ✅The last three 💫 have safely arrived in #AbuDhabi for #Dream11IPL@Eoin16 @patcummins30 @TBanton18#KKR #HaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/KnMSI7GiSP

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 18, 2020