IPL 2022: Should KKR try Mohammad Nabi, drop Aaron Finch?

The Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling to settle on a consistent playing 11 in IPL 2022. The two-time champions have tried several combinations at the top and experimented with more than eight bowlers in 10 matches. Shreyas Iyer and co face the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. 

After winning the toss, KKR skipper chose to bowl against Sanju Samson’s team. On Monday, they brought in Ankul Roy and Shivam Mavi, Venkatesh Iyer sitting out. 

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“We have lost many close games. The chat is always been positive cricket. We need to play fearless cricket. We have two changes. Roy comes in for Venky and Mavi comes in. It’s important to have the right combination. We are trying to give as many matches as possible to the players, but it’s also important to get the right combinations,” Shreyas Iyer said at the toss. 

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Now that KKR are placed on the eighth rung of the points table with three wins in nine games, they might want to shuffle the order a bit. Which means the 2014 champs could try bringing Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi into play. 

Where does Nabi fit in the playing 11? 

The Afghan has proven himself as an explosive middle-order batter and useful with the ball. The spinner played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2017 before joining KKR this season. In 17 matches for the Orange Army, he picked 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.14 rpo. With the bat he scored 180 runs at a strike rate of more than 150. 

If he gets a spot in KKR’s playing 11, Mohammad Nabi could play a key role in the lower middle-order along with Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Rinku Singh. 

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Who opens for KKR?

Aaron Finch, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine have all tried their hand at the opening slot. They have failed to fire consistently. 

Finch, who was signed by KKR for Rs 1.5 crore, has averaged 22.67 in four games. The Aussie captain has scored 68 runs. Rahane has 80 and Venkatesh Iyer 132 runs against their names. 

If Nabi comes in, Nitish Rana could be a good opening option for Kolkata. He opened for them last year and top-scored with 383 runs in 17 matches.