KKR needs to rectify powerplay issues to get their season on track

Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners KKR has had a mixed season thus far, registering 4 wins in eight matches. While their performance has been enough to put them in a relatively better place, Dinesh Kartik and his crew have their task cut out in the final half of the season if they fancy the chances of making it to the playoffs.

However, one of the pressing concerns for KKR, apart from their death bowling, has been the ability to strike in the powerplay overs. They average 63.86 per wicket in the powerplay which is nearly double the tournament average of 33.16 in the first six overs.

Also, Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc‘s injury ahead of the tournament dented them and the statistics reflect that. KKR have picked up just seven wickets, the fewest in the season, in the first six overs in eight games so far. To add to that, they’ve failed to pick up even a single wicket in the powerplay in the last four games.

The two games in which they did well in the Powerplay, resulted in convincing wins. Against Delhi Daredevils in Kolkata, they gave away 56 runs but picked up three wickets before cantering to a 71-run win. In Jaipur against Rajasthan Royals, they managed to choke D’Arcy Short and Ajinkya Rahane early on and the resulting total was a below-par 160. KKR pulled off a seven-wicket win with ease in the 19th over.

Speaking after the disappointing loss against Daredevils, Karthik echoed along the same lines saying, “It is very hard (to proceed with plans after not picking wickets in the powerplay). If you don’t get wickets in the Powerplay, then they’re always going hard and you’re wishing for a wicket somewhere.”

Race to the top 4

With Royal Challengers Bangalore winning the home game against Mumbai Indians, and RR breathing down the neck, KKR will feel more pressure in order to break into the top 4 and remain there.

It’s highly likely Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad will run away from other teams and enter the playoffs with Kings XI Punjab joining them, who are also in exceptional touch, which only spices up the race between teams for the remaining fourth spot.

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