Shreyas Iyer hails KKR's 'splendid' opening pair

The opening pair has consistently given KKR fast starts in a high-scoring season © BCCI/IPL

In the IPL, getting one opener who aggregates over 400 runs at a stunning strike-rate of 180-plus is a massive boost to the batting line-up. Kolkata Knight Riders have two of them this season and it isn't surprising that the team is now sitting at the top of the points table. It isn't also surprising that their overall net run rate is miles above the next best side. Narine and Salt have been ruthless against varied attacks in varying conditions, setting up incredible momentum for their side.

On Sunday in Lucknow, even the huge dimensions of the ground couldn't deter them as the duo set out to destroy LSG's potent bowling unit. In the process, they brought up their sixth fifty-plus opening stand in 11 games, the most by any opening pair this season. When you factor in their style of play with these numbers, they are phenomenal to say the least. Understandably, skipper Shreyas Iyer was in awe of the opening duo after the game.

"They have been splendid for us, the way they are playing their shots is pure bliss. They are setting us up and giving momentum and no matter what the situation is, we are playing with a positive mindset," said Iyer at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"A lefty-righty combination makes thing difficult for the opposition, the bowlers have to change their plans and that makes a difference. It's all about the freedom, to go out and express themselves. We want to go out and be positive whatever the situation is, sometimes it doesn't work out but sometimes it does."

It's been a roller-coaster campaign for the Knight Riders so far. After starting the season with three straight wins, they then lost three of their next five games including a thriller to Rajasthan Royals and the highest T20 chase to Punjab Kings. Amidst all this, the brand of cricket played by KKR has been laudable and they are now on a three-match winning streak again as they surge towards a playoffs berth and a potential top-two finish. Iyer echoed the drastic momentum shifts in his side's campaign.

"The last six matches in the dressing room there has been havoc, teammates are coming in and asking skip what's happening! We are losing tosses, but we are winning games... that's what matters."

At the heart of KKR's dominance has been their eternal matchwinner Sunil Narine. He has done it with the ball plenty of times, he has also shown glimpses of his batting in yesteryear but seldom has he packed the all-round punch like he has this season. The West Indian sits at third spot in the Orange Cap race with over 450 runs at a strike-rate of 180-plus and his unreal consistency has been the x-factor for KKR, when you factor in his typically strong defensive skills with the ball.

Narine, credited his stunning transformation to the immense backing received from the team management.

"The most important thing is starting well and it's good to have the backing of the support staff," said Narine after winning yet another Player-of-the-Match award for the franchise. "I think you have to pick your strengths and pick your spots, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. It's going very well, Varun is picking up wickets, it's making my job easier to keep things tight. He is a hard worker and it's good to see him do well. The boys are anxious and eager to play, so no matter what the situation is they are up for the challenge and they are contributing for us."

KKR's win in Lucknow was a huge confidence booster for the team, given the generally testing batting conditions at the venue. LSG's bowling unit has traditionally kept opposition batters under check but KL Rahul's men had no answers to the 'Narine and Salt show' as the openers put Lucknow's bowling to the sword. Not only did the hosts struggle to keep their opponents' scoring down, they were also outbowled considerably by KKR's bowlers later on. Scoreboard pressure does help, of course, but Knight Riders bowlers also executed their plans in a much better way and Harshit Rana felt that this was the major difference between the two sides on a slightly better Lucknow surface.

"You obviously have to play good cricket (to win by a huge margin). I think we read the pitch better, what lengths to bowl and what plans to follow. So we benefited due to that," said Rana at the post-match press conference.

"Judging the nature of the surface early is very important. Yes, in some games we have faltered in that but in all the games we've won, we have managed to assess the surface very early."

© Cricbuzz

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