IPL 2022: If the last two years weren’t a lesson enough for the Kolkata Knight Riders, the following two may very well be a lasting one in their antiquity.
The preceding couple of editions witnessed the Knights struggling vehemently as their batting failed over and over again.
Their bowlers tried desperately to stay on their feet, thanks to a string of impressive displays from Varun Chakravarthy and Pat Cummins that gave the team hope.
A late burst of resurgence from Sunil Narine allowed KKR to storm into the finals despite a patchy start.
With all said and done, the team still had a few decent monikers that could arrest the downfall on occasions.
The opening pair looked solid in the latter half of the tournament that comprised Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer.
With Shubman Gill gone, a lot will rely on Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2022 as he has already proven his worth in the glamorous franchise extravaganza and came out in flying colours in the international arcade.
Now the question remains who will be at the other end for the Purple Army?
Alex Hales can be a surprise package for KKR in IPL 2022
A few notable names that can be touted as apt for the role in IPL 2022 include the likes of Alex Hales, Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine.
Alex Hales undoubtedly will be the top pick when it comes to discussions.
The English opener has shown some ferocious form in the recently concluded PSL. He managed to conjure impressive knocks of 82*, 23, 22, 30, 62, 25, 62 and 38.
If the duo of Hales and Iyer clicks, it can be a catastrophe for the opponents in IPL 2022.
The two other names in contention, Sunil Narine may be an experimental figure and can be used to come a bit higher in the middle-order who can propel the run-rate at any given situation.
With Andre Russell to come out at number four or five, this looks like a silken plan for the Knights.
KKR invested heavily in Shreyas Iyer at the IPL 2022 auction.
Nitish Rana’s chances of opening the innings in IPL 2022 are pretty minimal, given the departure of Rahul Tripathi.
Rana will have to fill the important number three spot or even maybe demoted to number four considering the towering presence of their captain, Shreyas Iyer.
Keeping Alex Hales in the equation, the top five of KKR seems solid that would include Venkatesh Iyer, Hales, Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.
On papers and going by their preceding reputation, these names are a microcosm of the carnage that may be up for grabs if even two of these clicks.
Now, coming to the last couple of editions, KKR often suffered a batting collapse that dropped them to rock-bottom of the points table in the opening half of the league table.
All the aforementioned names, with a slight shuffle that would take out Shreyas Iyer and place Nitish Rana on the list, are fine strikers of the ball and are known for their hitting capability. Sadly, their ability to sustain a failing innings has never really manifested.
KKR fans would be hoping that Narine and Russell shine in IPL 2022.
We have seen how Sunil Narine has very rarely clicked with the bat and Russell’s contributions were the bare minimum.
Venkatesh Iyer cut an impressive figure but his tentative commitments at times work against him.
Shreyas and Alex Hales, however, seem to be solid names but as T20 cricket would dictate, games may be won on the premise of individual brilliance but when the tournament boils down to its entirety, it is a tough ask.
Depending on hitters would get you delivered to a certain extent but won’t really help you when it comes to crossing the line after 14 games.
As KKR fans are worried all over that it may be another tale of a flailing year where their batting aspirations can dent the title race for the third year consecutively.
