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Seems like they have no idea of what they are doing” – Aakash Chopra on KKR’s random strategy in IPL 2022

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by

Khushal
in

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have lost their way in IPL 2022 because of implausible batting order changes and inconsistent selection policy.

KKR are currently ranked eighth in the IPL 2022 points table. After a promising start to the season, they have lost their last five matches. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will return to winning ways when they take on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

Chopra admitted on his YouTube channel that things don’t look good for Kolkata ahead of Sunday’s match, but argued that they only have themselves to blame. He said:

“Kolkata are just slipping. It seems like they have no idea of what they are doing. Even I really cannot understand what they are trying to do, both with their batting order and as well as with their team selection. Sometimes Aaron Finch opens the batting, and then out of the blue Sam Billings is sent out at the top of the order. What will they do next? I really don’t know.”

KKR has been constantly experimenting with their batting order. Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane opened the IPL 2022 with Nitish Rana at No. 3. Consequently, Venkatesh was pushed down the list before being brought back to the top. Rana has also been moved into the middle order, with skipper Shreyas Iyer taking over at No. 3.
“KKR are not taiyaar” – Aakash Chopra

The franchise’s tagline was used to poke fun at Kolkata, saying they’re not ‘taiyaar’ for the IPL challenge in 2022. Highlighting the discrepancies in their planning, he said:

“KKR are not taiyaar (ready). In their last match, they went with four bowlers. What was the logic behind that? I am trying to figure out the system of this team. Rinku Singh is batting down the order although he is one of the few batters who has looked good. Sometimes Venkatesh Iyer is batting at the top of the order, at other times he is batting in the middle order.”

Kolkata’s previous match against the Delhi Capitals (DC) featured Aaron Finch and Venkatesh Iyer opening the innings. KKR were held to 146 for nine while batting first and lost by four wickets. Both fell for single-figure scores.