Former CSK batter Suresh Raina has suggested a massive change in the KKR batting order and has backed Rinku Singh’s promotion in the batting order. Last season, KKR had struggled significantly with their middle-order batting.
The Kolkata Knight Riders will undergo a massive change for the upcoming season, especially with the arrival of new coach Abhishek Nayar and new assistant coach Shane Watson. However, they have retained Ajinkya Rahane as their captain.
If Rahane wishes to quit the captaincy role, then Rinku Singh might be the next man in this setup to take up the role on the KKR side. Kolkata Knight Riders already miss out on Harshit Rana’s availability, and Matheesha Pathirana’s unavailability will be another big question.
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The former CSK batter Suresh Raina commented on KKR’s middle-order batting position. Raina mentioned that the middle order was where they struggled the most last season. He mentioned that Rinku Singh should be promoted to strengthen the batting order.
“Last season, their net run rate was not that good. Ajinkya Rahane batted well, but the middle order did not click. The three R’s – Russell, Ramandeep, and Rinku Singh- were all coming in at 7,8,9.
“Rinku will have to bat higher. He can come in at No. 4 because he is not a slogger. He is a proper batsman. He has won matches for them, so he can play the long innings. [Ankrish] Raghuvanshi is in good form,” claimed CSK batter Suresh Raina.
Suresh Raina picks Finn Allen to open alongside Sunil Narine
The CSK batter also went on to claim what will be the probable changes in the KKR batting order. Alongside the promotion of Rinku, he considered that New Zealand opener Finn Allen should be part of the playing XI.
Knight Riders had picked both the Kiwi openers Finn Allen and the other opener Tim Seifert in the mini-auction. Their performance in the ICC T20 World Cup will blow the heads of the KKR coaches as they have to settle with just one of them.
Suresh Raina feels it should be Finn Allen, while the other overseas players will be Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, and one of the pacers, Matheesha Pathirana or Blessing Muzarabani.
“Sunil Narine will have to bat at the top with Rahane. .” – Sanjay Bangar
While former RCB coach Sanjay Bangar opined that Sunil Narine will have to open the innings whatever changes they consider making to the Kolkata batting order.
“No matter how much you evaluate, Sunil Narine will have to bat at the end with Rahane. You can bat Cameron Green at No. 3. So in this way, they can manage the top order. Then in the lower order, you have Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, and Ramandeep,” he opined.
Kolkata retained Ramandeep Singh, which means they will use the Punjab all-rounder to the best of his ability at least this season.
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