Six-time IPL champion Ambati Rayudu suggested a few tweaks that could help the Kolkata Knight Riders have a much stronger batting lineup in their game against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday, May 8.
Rayudu urged the Knights’ management to have Tim Seifert opening the batting alongside compatriot Finn Allen, with Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Cameron Green to follow. Seifert and Allen batted brilliantly at the top of the order for New Zealand during the T20 World Cup 2026. However, the former failed to replicate that form in the IPL, as he scored just 19 runs in three innings before being dropped in the last game.
“I expect them to keep the same combination, but they should [ideally] be playing Seifert at the top with Finn Allen. Ajinkya Rahane at three, and Rinku and Cameron Green to play the middle overs and the finishing role. So, that’s a great batting order that they have not been using. I think they should go that route,” Rayudu said during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo Timeout.
“That was a real shift” – Katey Martin on Varun Chakaravarthy returning to form for KKR
Varun Chakaravarthy wasn’t in great form during the T20 World Cup, which preceded IPL 2026. He also failed to pick up a wicket in the first three games he played for the Knights this season. However, after a brief injury layoff, the mystery spinner has bounced back to form, bagging 10 wickets in the last four matches.
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin said that bowling in tandem with Sunil Narine has played a key role in helping Chakaravarthy regain his mojo.
“He was always going to be a key factor with the ball. When he’s got it right with his pace control, I think he’s been outstanding. It sort of was triggered with his partnership bowling with Narine through the middle. It’s always been, how do you use Narine in that KKR bowling line-up. Whether you use him in the powerplay because he’s such a great defensive bowler. Teams have tended to sit on him. I think when Chakaravarthy had the opportunity to partner with Narine through the middle, that was a real shift,” Martin said.
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