'Sunil Narine should open': Ex-KKR star slams batting strategy amid poor start

Kolkata Knight Riders’ start to the season has been far from ideal. Still chasing their first victory, they have just a single point to show for their efforts, earned from a rain-hit clash against Punjab Kings. For a side with three IPL titles to its name, the early signs have been worrying, with both batting and bowling units yet to find rhythm.

A lot of the focus has been on their batting approach, particularly the way Sunil Narine has been utilised. Once a destructive force at the top, Narine has been pushed down the order this season, reducing his influence. The decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering his success as an opener in KKR’s championship runs. At the same time, Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership has also come under scrutiny as the team searches for answers.

KKR’s high-profile acquisition Cameron Green has yet to deliver impactful performances, putting pressure on his place in the XI. Meanwhile, Finn Allen has shown flashes of promise at the top but has not been able to convert his quick starts into meaningful scores.

Former KKR batter Manoj Tiwary weighed in on the situation, stressing the importance of strong leadership during challenging phases. He also voiced his support for restoring Narine to the opening role, citing his past success in that position.

"As a leader, it is important to display leadership qualities that even if you are losing, you have to make sure of the atmosphere in the dressing room and the hotels, make sure that there is not much discussion about how the team are losing games. I still think that Sunil Narine should open for KKR. Because when KKR became champions, he had made 488 runs. The advantage of him at the top is that when he fires, he plays at a strike rate of 180-200, and if he gets out, he does not waste too many balls," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.

Tiwary further suggested that KKR should adopt a more aggressive mindset in the powerplay. He backed an opening pair of Allen and Narine, while also calling for opportunities for Tim Seifert in the lineup. He noted that Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been consistent but tends to lose momentum after getting set.

"So, open with Finn Allen and Sunil Narine, and then be flexible after that. I also want to see Tim Seifert. I think the batting order will be set after that. We are seeing teams score 90-100 runs in the powerplay, I want to see the same from KKR as well. Raghuvanshi is doing well, but in the end, he gets stuck at a strike rate of 130-140. When there are so many players in the dugout who can score at a strike rate of 180-200, you should give them more balls to play in the innings," he elaborated.

With results not going their way, KKR face mounting pressure to quickly reassess their approach and unlock the potential within a squad that, on paper, has the firepower to turn things around.