A section of Kolkata Knight Riders fans are demanding the management to consider a change in captaincy as Dinesh Karthik’s men finished second-best in a run-fest against Delhi Capitals in Sharjah in Match 15 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. KKR fell short off a 229-run target by 18 runs despite a stunning late surge from Eoin Morgan and Rahul Tripathi.
KKR, under Dinesh Karthik’s leadership, haven’t seemingly learned from the mistakes that led to their downfall last season. Despite possessing a battalion of big-hitters, KKR missed the play-offs berth in IPL 2019. Things were expected to change as KKR beefed up their batting unit by bringing in World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan along with Pat Cummins to add firepower to their bowling department.
Despite having won 2 in 4 matches, familiar troubles have returned to haunt the KKR in IPL 2020. In both the matches that they have lost so far in the season, KKR seemingly got their batting order wrong.
IPL 2020 – Full Coverage
On Saturday, in a steep chase of 229 in Sharjah, Dinesh Karthik promoted himself ahead of Eoin Morgan, who eventually came into bat No.6. With Karthik struggling to get going in the new season with 3 successive single-digit scores, Morgan was left with too much in the end.
However, the World Cup-winning England captain went on a six-hitting spree along with Rahul Tripathi as the duo added 78 in 30 balls to take KKR closer to the total. It was also surprising to see Tripathi, who was included in the XI as a specialist batsman, walk into bat after Pat Cummins at No. 8.
Here’s how a section of fans reacted to KKR’s Sharjah defeat
With all due respect to Dinesh Karthik, Eion Morgan should really be the captain of KKR. He’s only won a World Cup…probably knows a thing or two about captaincy. And while we’re at it he should really be batting at 3/4. Bringing him in at 6 with the game almost gone is bonkers.
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 3, 2020
. @KKRiders must change their captain. @Eoin16 is perfect to lead the side. Also, they need to shuffle the batting order. The opening partnership between Rana & Gill, Morgan at no.3, and Russell ahead of Karthik at no.4. This makes the top order look more solid.
#KKRvsDC #IPL— Hrishikesh Damodar (@HrishiDamodar) October 3, 2020
Retweet if you don’t want Dinesh Karthik as a captain of #KKR !!@KKRiders @DineshKarthik #DCvsKKR
— JUST A FAN. (@iamsrk_brk) October 3, 2020
Eoin Morgan comes on crease to bat.
Le Dinesh Karthik : #DCvKKR pic.twitter.com/ntZfOA13Cx
— Turbosu Roy (@turbosu_roy) October 3, 2020
Situation of KKR fans r8 now #DCvKKR Dinesh Karthik should step back from Captain ship . pic.twitter.com/FMPDx9RTbT
— ??? Shruv Rahul K ?? (@DShruv) October 3, 2020
You have world’s best white ball captain Eoin Morgan in your team who lead england to wc victory. And you chooses Dinesh Karthik who dont have even a place in national team. Wow what a management ??#DCvKKR pic.twitter.com/KijL1fwR82
— Abhishek (@its_abhishek7) October 3, 2020
When someone not batting well his captaincy would affect.
When someone not leading well his batting would affect.
Dinesh Karthik might have both the issues
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 3, 2020
With all due respect to Dinesh Karthik, Eion Morgan should really be the captain of KKR. He’s only won a World Cup…probably knows a thing or two about captaincy. And while we’re at it he should really be batting at 3/4. Bringing him in at 6 with the game almost gone is bonkers.
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 3, 2020
Dinesh Karthik sending himself over Eoin Morgan and Rahul Tripathi at 8. pic.twitter.com/5DPBfJBdT8
— Ridwan (@rid_aman) October 3, 2020
The persistence with Sunil Narine at the top of the order has also not worked for the Knight Riders as their star all-rounder is being targetted with pace. While Narine had found plenty of success as KKR opener in the past, his inability to tackle short balls is not working in the team’s favour.
However, Karthik backed his under-fire opener to come good despite another ordinary performance against the Delhi Capitals and said he would have a discussion with the management about changing the top-order.