KKR Dare to Dream: Rahane’s Men Keeping Play-off Hopes Alive

Team KKR. Image: BCCI/IPL

Can KKR do the improbable and make the play-offs? That’s the question doing the rounds after four consecutive wins by the Ajinkya Rahane-led team. All of a sudden, things seem to be going right. The spinners, always their strength, seem to have found their mojo and KKR are controlling the middle overs extremely well. Varun Chakaravarthy is back in form, Sunil Narine is able to turn back the clock and Anukul Roy has started to pick up key wickets. Overall, the spinners have taken control of the bowling and the team is looking like a good enough unit.

In batting, Finn Allen finally came good against Delhi, while Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have both scored consistently. What KKR needed was the early blast at the start, and that’s exactly what happened with Allen against DC. Rinku Singh, who has won two games on his own, is holding the middle order together and, if Cameron Green and Rovman Powell can contribute consistently in the next few matches, the unthinkable can perhaps happen.

The ask is still a tall one. KKR still have a long road to travel and one defeat can mess things up. Having said that, sport is all about momentum and that’s what the team now have. Also, some upset results along the way can help KKR. For example, RCB’s defeat at the hands of LSG was somewhat unexpected, and it has made the points table far more complex.

It is time to spend a little time on Rahane. I have been repeatedly trolled for being supportive of him. My point was simple – for Rahane to be successful, you need an Allen to fire. Then the kind of manner in which Rahane plays can work perfectly and he can be the glue that holds the batting together. Second, he needed wickets to bring his spinners into play and, as the tournament has progressed, spin has started to become more and more potent.

Rahane is a very good leader and has the tactical nous to take control. We have seen him do so for India in Australia. In fact, more than many other leaders, his understanding of the game is excellent and his players needed to stand up and back the skipper. That’s what is happening and that’s what has ignited a semblance of hope.

For KKR to go through, three things need to happen. First, Narine and Varun need to control the middle overs in the way they did against Delhi. The moment these two bowlers do so, the opposition total falls below 180. That’s what the KKR batting order needs to feel in control.

Second, Allen needs to fire. He can give KKR a strong start, which in turn will make Rahane and Raghuvanshi comfortable. They can bat deep and allow the others to bat around them. Finally, Green needs to offer more. If he can do what Mitch Starc did at the business end of the tournament in 2024, KKR can nail the home stretch.
It is difficult, yes, but not impossible. And in sport, you always chase the impossible.

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