KOLKATA: Impact Players Proving to be a Challenge for Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders have been on the receiving end of some brutal power-hitting from impact players in recent matches, with Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow leading Punjab Kings to a record-breaking run chase at the Eden Gardens on Friday.

In a high-scoring thriller, both teams combined to hit a staggering 400 runs in boundaries, with KKR scoring 196 (22 fours and 18 sixes) and Punjab Kings chasing it down with 204 (15 fours and 24 sixes). This match further highlighted the changing dynamics of T20 cricket, with PBKS skipper Sam Curran likening the sport to baseball due to the emphasis on power-hitting.

KKR’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged the shift in the game, noting the increasing importance of impact players in determining the outcome of matches. He emphasized the need for bowlers to adapt and come up with innovative strategies to counter the dominance of batters.

According to Ten Doeschate, bowlers need to be proactive and constantly change their approach to keep the batters guessing. He suggested bowling with “anti-skills” such as short and wide deliveries to catch the batters off-guard and disrupt their rhythm.

In the face of daunting run chases and relentless power-hitting, Ten Doeschate urged bowlers to be brave and take the fight to the batters instead of passively trying to contain the flow of runs. With the game evolving rapidly, he emphasized the importance of bowlers having a big heart and embracing the challenge of finding ways to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of T20 cricket.