Extending the opening match winning streak and all that...

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(@kkriders)

So we extend our opening match winning streak to 6, after we started winning every one of our opening games since IPL 2013. Playing RCB at the Eden Gardens to start our campaign was always going to be special, and the boys did not disappoint. So what did the DK led KKR teach us after their opening match?

Looks like we can do without Stark after all: I’m probably jumping the gun here, but the pinch we felt after learning of Stark’s absence feels a little less painful, after having won the first game. Let’s be honest though – we could’ve bowled far better. Yes, our back-up Mitchell stepped up and how! But let’s accept the fact right at the outset that he might not play all the games, and so, we will eventually have to turn to our U-19 boy Nagarkotti at some stage or the other. And honestly, I cannot wait to see him, Mavi, and Gill play. Will either or all of them get a game though, is the million dollar question.

Narine is not an out and out ‘you miss, I hit’ opener: I got the feeling that Narine has worked on his batting in the last one year. I also got the feeling that he can be counted as a more ‘dependable’ opener this season, for the lack of a better year. Of course, his primary job will be to go hammer and tongs from ball one, but him rotating the strike after hitting that six and a four off Chahal told me that he is taking his batting a lot more seriously than he did last season.  

DK is a fine choice to captain the side: That seemingly bizarre decision of throwing the ball to Rana quickly turned from seemingly bizarre, to seemingly genius. But that’s not the only reason why I thought that DK led the side well yesterday. Apart from appearing involved in the proceedings behind the stumps, he steadied the ship when the team seemed to wobble during the chase. His captaincy skills are yet to be tested in the true sense of the world, but DK gave out a very positive vibe yesterday, and told us fans that hey, I’m here to lead your side this season.

Lynn and Russel don’t look 100 percent fit: Okay now this concerns me. I couldn’t help but believe that Russel wasn’t at his fittest best, after not bowling that last over of the innings. He gave 10 runs from 2 overs before that, for crying out loud! In the post inning interview, he termed it as a strategic move by DK, but I’m not fully convinced. Also, did nobody notice how Lynn took his right hand off the bat while trying to slap that ball on which he got out? It was almost like he was trying to protect an injury that he was carrying on the field. Okay maybe I’m over analyzing here, but Lynn and Russel were too vulnerable for my liking yesterday, and I hope they remain match fit for most part of the season.

The squad balance will see some tinkering going forward: Of course, no squad “settles” after one game – that’s ridiculous!  Yes, we got the 2 points. Yes, we did it fairly easily in the end. But I get the impression that it will take us another 2-3 games to arrive at a fully settled squad that we are going to field for the rest of the season.