IPL 2023: KKR in search for inspiration ahead of CSK tie, will they find the 'Jeetbo' Tune?

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Kolkata Knight Riders have a simple equation ahead of the Chennai Super Kings tie on Sunday (May 14). The Knight Riders are sitting 7th in the table and on the brink of an exit.

As they take on the four-time Champions on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, the team from Bengal is struggling with hypoxia. Can a fresh breeze of air in Chennai somehow loosen the stranglehold? Well, that remains a massive question.

The Knight Riders are in need of some inspiration. As they take on CSK, who are in terrific form, anything less than a victory will officially stamp their early departure from the tournament. This will be KKR's second exit without playoffs in a row, since their IPL 2021 heroics.

With two matches remaining, KKR must win two and then have to rely on the almighty for the other results to go in their favour. But the first task is a daunting one as they meet MS Dhoni's CSK at the Chepauk.

With the CSK army behind their team and a CSK team in sublime form, how can KKR get retribution? Redemption for their earlier defeat is imperative, but KKR will have to search for inspiration.

Sunil Narine and Andre Russell - Shadows of their own

One of the biggest reasons for their sheepish performance this season has been the lack of performance from their big-name players. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, two of KKR's biggest pillars over the years have struggled all the way. Narine has been clubbed across the park, while Russell's destructive mode has been largely curbed.

And that has taken a massive toll on them. With the Caribbean duo largely underfiring, the other players needed to step up, but that has not been the case as well.

KKR and their all-around inconsistency

Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, two of their other regular overseas players have shown glimpses of brilliance, but not enough. Lockie Ferguson's trading has been a disaster, while the likes of Tim Southee and David Wiese haven't made any telling contributions.

Among Indian players, Venkatesh Iyer is their highest scorer but hasn't looked at his best. Captain Nitish Rana's case is the same. Narayan Jagadeesan, Mandeep Singh and others have miserably failed and KKR have crumbled in their batting courtesy of a lack of authority and consistency.

Rinku and Suyash - the brights among the gloom

Rinku Singh is the only player who has showcased his full potential for KKR this season. The southpaw has demonstrated some excellent batting skills so far, scoring 353 runs while batting in the middle order. He has given the team enough substance and has won them some crucial matches. Two of KKR's Five wins have been possible courtesy of Rinku Singh's brilliance as a finisher.

Suyash Sharma, KKR's 19-year-old unknown prodigy has been another success story. The Delhi-born raw talent has served them well thus far. Suyash has picked up 10 wickets in 9 innings, bowling at a decent economy of 8, which is better than Sunil Narine (economy 8.5, wickets 7 in 12 innings).

KKR in search for the 'Jeetbo' Tune

It has to come from their seasoned customers. KKR still have a slim chance to make it to the playoffs, and they must capitalize on that. The timidness in their batting needs to be defenestrated, and the big guns like Jason Roy, Nitish Rana will have to lead them in that way.

Success and an aggressive approach are contagious, hence the bigger players showing grit can only galvanize the whole team against a daunting opponent like CSK. With players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine struggling, KKR need to find leaders of the new era and the so-called fringe players will have to step up and make amends for them.

In terms of their fast bowling, which has been abysmal all season, someone like Andre Russell may have to rise and inspire the youngsters like Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora. Shardul Thakur is also there but ambiguously has just bowled 16 overs so far this season.

It has been a difficult season for KKR, and they share the blame for that. Poor auction strategy, baffling trading decisions and the injury of Shreyas Iyer - all have played a part in this topsy-turvy season for the two-time IPL champions.

But it's 'Karenge ya Marenge' (Do or Die) time now. 'Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo' (We will do, We will fight, We will win) is the tune that will reverberate around their minds, but who inspires them towards the Jeetbo (Win)? That remains a huge ask.