Kolkata Knight Riders are enduring a tough opening phase of the season, still searching for their first victory. The two-time (three-time) champions sit on a solitary point, earned from a game against Punjab Kings that was abandoned due to rain. So far, both departments have looked below par, with the batting and bowling failing to deliver the usual impact.
Questions have been especially loud around how Sunil Narine is being deployed. Once a reliable force at the top of the order, the left-arm spinner has been pushed down this season, which has reduced his opportunities to swing momentum early. Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy is also drawing scrutiny as KKR try to find a consistent plan in their batting approach.
Quick facts
- KKR are still without a win this season and have only one point.
- The point came from a washed-out match versus Punjab Kings.
- Sunil Narine has been pushed down the order, limiting his impact.
- Cameron Green has not yet met expectations, with his spot under pressure.
- Finn Allen has made quick starts but hasn’t converted them into large totals.
- Manoj Tiwary believes Narine should again open and wants more aggression in the powerplay.
Manoj Tiwary weighed in on KKR’s current struggles and pointed to what he feels is needed during difficult stretches—especially leadership in the dressing room. He argued that the environment must be managed carefully so the squad doesn’t spiral into negativity after setbacks, whether in team spaces or even during hotel routines.
Tiwary also backed a return to the Narine-opening role, citing his own understanding of how the franchise previously benefited from it. He referenced Narine’s record when KKR were title-winning and stressed that his mindset and strike rate at the top can change the tempo of an innings almost immediately.
“As a leader, it is important to show leadership even when you are losing. You have to make sure the atmosphere in the dressing room and the hotels remains controlled, so there isn’t too much talk about how the team are losing games,” Tiwary said. He added that, in his view, Narine should open again for KKR, explaining that when the franchise won titles, Narine contributed heavily with 488 runs and was most effective upfront.
He further described why opening benefits Narine: when he gets going, he can strike at around 180 to 200, and even if he gets out, he doesn’t consume excessive deliveries—an element that matters in tight T20 contests.
Opening combo and powerplay push
Beyond Narine, Tiwary urged KKR to be more aggressive at the start, advocating a top-order structure built around Finn Allen and Narine. He also suggested that Tim Seifert should be given a role, arguing that the batting order can be fine-tuned once that balance is tested.
“Open with Finn Allen and Sunil Narine, and then be flexible afterwards. I also want to see Tim Seifert. I think the batting order will be set after that,” he said, pointing to how other teams are routinely racking up 90 to 100 runs in the powerplay.
Tiwary wants KKR to mirror that kind of early momentum. While he acknowledged that Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been performing, he noted a recurring pattern—Raghuvanshi tends to slow down after a bright start, with his strike rate settling into the 130 to 140 range. In his view, KKR should back players who can accelerate between 180 and 200 and give them enough balls to build their innings.
As KKR try to arrest the slide, the central debate remains clear: whether changing Narine’s position can unlock the batting rhythm they have been missing, and whether a bolder powerplay plan can finally produce the kind of totals their season demands.
