Wasim Akram, who coached Kolkata Knight Riders in the past, asserted that KKR have shown controlled aggression thus far, which has worked well for them. Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has warned Sunrisers Hyderabad about Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers ahead of the high-octane IPL 2024 Qualifier at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
KKR finished the league stage at the top of the table with an all-time highest NRR of 1.428. They played collective cricket and performed exceedingly well in both batting and bowling departments to prove their supremacy.
Wasim Akram on SRH vs KKR playoffs
While SRH also played with almost a similar template, just a bit more aggression in their batting department; however, they face a tricky challenge against KKR, who have a formidable bowling attack. When the two teams faced each other in the league stage, Shreyas Iyer and Co. came out on top with a nervy 4-run win at Eden Gardens.
Wasim Akram hailed the KKR bowling attack as they have hunted in the pack throughout the season thus far and didn’t rely on any individual brilliance to get over the line.
“They are going in the final as a calm, confident and very dangerous side” – Wasim Akram warns KKR opponents in IPL 2024 playoffs
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has backed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a place in the final of IPL 2024. The legendary pacer warned the opposition teams of the Knight Riders’ consistency with the ball as they finished atop the IPL 2024 points table. Akram further backed his opinion with the impressive statistics of the team’s bowling unit. Notably, the frontline bowlers have picked up 76 wickets despite their last two league games being washed out due to rain.
The reaction comes a day ahead of KKR’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1. The winner will qualify for the final, while the loser will have another chance to reach the final through Qualifier 2.
Akram told Sportskeeda’s Match Ki Baat:
“This is [bowling] is one of the main factors [behind KKR finishing on top of the points table]. There are wicket-taking bowlers. The teams that will take wickets will win the matches.
“If you see Chakravarthy has 18, Harshit Rana’s 16, all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have 15, and Mitchell Starc has 12. Starc single-handedly won them a game as well. They are going in the final as a calm, confident, and very dangerous side for sure.”
“They are not cocky or overconfident” – Wasim Akram
The return of Gautam Gambhir in the capacity of mentor has worked wonders for KKR as the two-time IPL-winning skipper instilled confidence in the side as they played a fearless brand of cricket with Sunil Narine reclaiming his opener’s slot. Shreyas Iyer has also done a tremendous job as a captain and looked proactive with his bowling changes and field placements.
Akram, who coached KKR in the past, asserted that KKR have shown a controlled aggression thus far which has worked well for them.
Wasim Akram further lauded KKR’s batting unit, especially Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh. He further gave the example of Manish Pandey to highlight how the team has clicked together throughout this season. On this, he said:
“Almost everyone performed, they played Manish Pandey in one game and he also delivered. So, that shows that everybody is happy and confident. They have aggression, but they have controlled aggression. They are not cocky or overconfident.”
Akram, however, looked slightly concerned with Salt’s absence in the playoffs. The right-hander is the second-highest run-scorer for KKR this season. He amassed 435 runs in 12 matches, including four 50s.
All England players are unavailable for IPL 2024 playoffs as they prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“No doubt, Phil Salt’s absence will affect them,” he added.
Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz will replace Salt as wicketkeeper and opener in KKR’s playing XI. The right-hander scored 227 runs in 11 games with the help of two half-centuries last season.