IPL 2024: KKR need to Improve These Two Things despite RCB Victory

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Kolkata Knight Riders registered a sublime victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday (March 29) to make it two victories out of their first two matches this season.

The Knight Riders chased down a target of 183 runs with more than three overs to spare, and it has taken them into the 2nd spot in the points table.

It was a night for Sunil Narine, who shone on his 500th T20 appearance with a Player of the Match performance. Despite struggling with the ball (1 for 40 in 4 overs), Narine massacred with the bat as an opener and scored 47 runs off just 22 balls. Venkatesh Iyer also scored a fifty while captain Shreyas Iyer made an unbeaten 39 to indicate some sort of return to form.

Despite KKR's scintillating victory, there are avenues for the two-time Champions to improve as they take on Delhi Capitals up next. The Knight Riders would be playing the second of their three consecutive away matches, and would be looking to rectify some of their glaring mistakes.

Catching needs to Improve

KKR have been guilty of dropping catches this season. They dropped three against RCB on Friday, but luckily got unpunished. They would definitely need an improvement on that as things may not be so kind for them in the coming matches. The likes of Sunil Narine and Ramandeep Singh spilled the easiest of chances, which would require addressing. Their ground fielding was pretty decent, to say the least, but the catching has room for improvement.

The Mitchell Starc Conundrum

Mitchell Starc's life as a KKR player has been underwhelming and somewhat disappointing so far. The Australian pacer has conceded 100 runs in eight overs, without a wicket, in the first two matches. Starc has found things difficult in the powerplay, and has gone for plenty at the death as well. KKR will have to find a solution to that ahead of the Delhi match.

They can afford to drop Mitchell Starc, but that has its own repercussions. Hence the Knight Riders management will have to utilize the 33-year-old properly. Starc was bought for Rs 24.75 crore in the auction and the pressure to perform would be immense on him as well.

But the Delhi Capitals match can be a perfect opportunity for Starc to return to form. With two of his fellow Aussies David Warner and Mitchell Marsh as the DC openers, Starc will be hoping to hit form if he gets the new ball.