KKR need to shrug off PowerPlay lethargy as top-four race intensifies

Exactly 10 days ago, Kolkata Knight Riders were distancing themselves from the chasing pack. While the trifecta of Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore surged ahead with a run of wins, Kolkata managed to create a four-point gap between themselves at fourth, and the second half of the table after each had played nine games. At that stage, even that small cushion seemed good enough, considering how the bottom-half sides kept floundering along the way.

But then, the IPL pendulum swung hard.

KKR have now gone from five wins in nine games to just six in 12, dropping down to fifth spot, joining the mid-table jostlers. Consistent run of form has eluded KKR all through, as they've not been able to win more than two matches on the trot. Worse still is the fact that when they've been bad, they've been really bad - directly affecting their poor Net Run Rate (-0.479) which is currently the third-worst in the league.

At the heart of KKR's problems is the extreme lethargy in the PowerPlay. KKR are the only side this season who haven't had a fifty-plus opening stand, and one of only two teams to lose at least one wicket in the first six overs in every game so far. Shubman Gill's show of urgency and intent in the game against KXIP is a welcome change for Morgan's side, but they'd be better served with better support from Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi - who have both blown hot and cold this season.

For a side steeped in excellence and consistency like CSK, Thursday's game against KKR is unchartered territory. It will be their first outing since being officially knocked out of the playoffs reckoning - an experience they've never had before. What this new experience brings however, is the power to influence how the fight for the top-four goes down. CSK might already be looking at the future, but still hold quite the sway in the present.

What do KKR need to ensure qualification?

- Winning both their remaining games will put them on 16 points - a tally that neither RR or SRH can match. If they get to 16, NRR will be the deciding factor.

- KKR