KKR in trouble! Ex-star calls for Shah Rukh Khan’s intervention in IPL 2026
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The former KKR all-rounder, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, believes that only some sharp words of motivation can help the Kolkata Knight Riders bounce back in this edition of the IPL after they hold onto the last position after seven games.
Kolkata Knight Riders have struggled in this season of the competition, and they have lost five out of their seven matches at the start of the season, earning their first victory against the Rajasthan Royals. The Knight will now have to win all of their seven matches to qualify for the playoffs.
A minimum of six wins would be needed to remain in contention this season, and hence, two losses this season and they would officially be snubbed from the competition. Former KKR all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla has opined that this is a catastrophic failure and the KKR team can bounce back.
Laxmi Ratan Shukla backs Sunil Narine as an opener, while he takes a dig at their fearful batting lineup
The former all-rounder showed no doubt about the talent of the cricketers picked by KKR in the mini-auction. He said that all these players were picked because they played well, and the issue has been that they have not managed to find any success as a team.
He has further claimed that the powerplay has been a major void in their batting card and has questioned why Sunil Narine has not been used to utilize the powerplay on every occasion. "The decision not to play Sunil Narine in the opening slots is a surprise," Shukla opined.
"When Sunil Narine has a good success rate as an opener, he should open. Either Raghuvanshi or someone else should open with him. You have to stick to a plan. A team can't run on the advice of every expert commentator," he added.
Shukla then added that the unit needs to play fearlessly to optimize their efforts so that they can use the most of their potential. "Looking at the batting unit, it felt like KKR is batting with a lot of fear," Shukla observes bluntly.
"Even in the last match at Eden Gardens, chasing 150-160 on a good wicket went to the last over. Overall, the team still needs to play smarter cricket, and they should play fearlessly," he added.
KKR have felt the void after Andre Russell's retirement
KKR have truly been haunted by Andre Russell's ghost, as the new all-rounders who replaced him have not even managed to produce half the impact as the legendary West Indian all-rounder. Cameron Green, bought for INR 25.20 crore, could manage to accumulate just 162 runs and pick a single wicket after seven games, with an economy of 14.17.
"There is a huge difference in the combination of this team. It's not just a minor difference," Laxmi Ratan Shukla explains.
"Look at the team combination... taking Powell in Andre Russell's place. Powell is a good player, but he is not of Russell's quality. In fact, he doesn't give you the bowling that Russell used to provide," he added.
With a new coaching unit, should Shah Rukh Khan hand them a spark of a comeback?
KKR advised Abhishek Nayar to just hold on to his nerve and back his team through these tough times. According to Laxmi Ratan Shukla, KKR might need a catalyst for a turnaround, and the key might lie well within the hands of the team owner, Shah Rukh Khan.
"Just back your team," Shukla advises. "Up until now, he gave leadership from the outside... this year he got his first coaching role. So don't be harsh on him... he needs some time because everything is happening so fast."
"In the first year, Shah Rukh Khan would always come and talk to the team personally. The year we became champions... he came and spoke to us personally," Shukla recalls. "I don't feel like that team meeting... that vocal tonic from Shah Rukh Khan has happened yet," he added.
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About the Author
Subhomoy Datta is an author at Cricketaddictor, and he has been working at this website since June 2...
