Getting one opener in the IPL who scores more than 400 runs at an incredible strike rate of 180 or more is a huge advantage for the batting order. With two of them this season, it is hardly surprise that the Kolkata Knight Riders are currently leading the points standings. Furthermore, unsurprising is their overall net run rate, which is far higher than the next best team. Narine and Salt have created amazing momentum for their side by being merciless against different attacks in different circumstances.
The two went out on Sunday in Lucknow to smash LSG’s formidable bowling unit, not even the enormous size of the field could stop them. In the process, they recorded their sixth fifty-plus opening stand in 11 games, the most by any opening duo this year. Their play style combined with these numbers is simply amazing. Naturally, following the match, captain Shreyas Iyer was in awe of the opening pair.
“They have been splendid for us, the way they are playing their shots is pure bliss. They are setting us up and giving momentum and no matter what the situation is, we are playing with a positive mindset,” said Iyer at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“A lefty-righty combination makes thing difficult for the opposition, the bowlers have to change their plans and that makes a difference. It’s all about the freedom, to go out and express themselves. We want to go out and be positive whatever the situation is, sometimes it doesn’t work out but sometimes it does.”
For the Knight Riders, the campaign has so far been an emotional roller coaster. Three of their next five games, including a thrilling loss to Rajasthan Royals and the highest T20 chase against Punjab Kings, were lost after they began the season with three straight victories. KKR has played excellent cricket throughout all of this, and they are currently on a three-match winning run as they push for a playoff spot and maybe a top-two finishes. Iyer repeated the sharp changes in the campaign’s momentum for his side.
“The last six matches in the dressing room there has been havoc, teammates are coming in and asking skip what’s happening! We are losing tosses, but we are winning games… that’s what matters.”
The main reason KKR has been dominant has been Sunil Narine, their constant matchwinner. He has showed flashes of his batting in the past, and he has done it with the ball many times, but he has rarely delivered the all-round punch of this season. With more than 450 runs with a strike rate of 180 or more, the West Indian is third in the Orange Cap race. When you combine his usually excellent defensive abilities with the ball, his incredible consistency has been the x-factor for KKR.
Narine gave the team management’s tremendous support for his amazing metamorphosis credit.
“The most important thing is starting well and it’s good to have the backing of the support staff,” said Narine after winning yet another Player-of-the-Match award for the franchise. “I think you have to pick your strengths and pick your spots, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s going very well, Varun is picking up wickets, it’s making my job easier to keep things tight. He is a hard worker and it’s good to see him do well. The boys are anxious and eager to play, so no matter what the situation is they are up for the challenge and they are contributing for us.”
With the usually difficult batting conditions at Lucknow, the team’s victory there was a major confidence boost. Normally, the bowling unit of LSG has held opposing batters in check, but KL Rahul’s men were unable to handle the ‘Narine and Salt show’ as the openers destroyed Lucknow’s bowling. The hosts not only found it difficult to limit their opponents’ score, but later on, KKR’s bowlers heavily outbowled them. Naturally, scoreboard pressure helps, but Knight Riders bowlers also carried out their plans far more well, and Harshit Rana thought that this was the main difference between the two teams on a marginally better Lucknow track.
“You obviously have to play good cricket (to win by a huge margin). I think we read the pitch better, what lengths to bowl and what plans to follow. So we benefited due to that,” said Rana at the post-match press conference.
“Judging the nature of the surface early is very important. Yes, in some games we have faltered in that but in all the games we’ve won, we have managed to assess the surface very early.”
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