Match Result : KKR: 208/7, SRH:204/7, KKR won by 4 runs.
1)Andre Russel has started well for KKR, though he is not consistent for them but KKR management would be delighted on how the big man has started the tournament.
2)Narine is tried at the opening slot but has failed so it would be interesting to see if KKR tries another opening combination in the coming match or will stick to Narine.
3)One of the other positives for KKR is Ramandeep Singh. Ramandeep played a superb short cameo of 35 runs of just 17 balls and if he keeps going in the tournament then KKR surely will have the advantage as the uncapped Indian players performance separates the team in the long tournament.
4)Though KKR has won, one of the biggest worries they have got in their very first match is Varun Chakraworthy’s bowling.
Varun had a great last season with a new variation to his armoury and he is coming from a good form after winning the most wickets title in DY Patil Cup. But Klassen was finding him too easy and he gave away 55 runs of his 4 overs. KKR doesn’t have any backup for Varun if he doesn’t get back his form.
5)Klassen has been in tremendous form. He was second on the most runs in SA 20 league and he has carried his great form in IPL too.
6)SRH is looking good team with long batting order. In their lower end also they have players like Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Marco Jansen and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. If they can restrict the opposition at about 170-180 runs their long batting line up can really chase it down easily with now how they have started the tournament.
7)Mitchell Starc at 24.75 crore was the second most expensive bowler for KKR, giving away 53 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket but he has all the time in the world to make a comeback.
8)Shahbaz Ahmed played a superb knock of 16 runs and SRH may promote him ahead of Abdul Samad and if Samad who has been for quite some time for SRH doesn’t deliver soon, they should look out for other options too.
