Kkr always feel like they are one game away from clicking to me. They have the players, the balance and most roles are defined. Its surprising how they are struggling.
My ideal Kolkata XI would have Ferguson in at first. Most Indian batsmen aren't used to the searing pace that he can bowl and he has a very good bouncer that can catch anyone off-guard. I remember him hurrying Dhawan once in a T20I, completely shellacking him. Imagine what he could do to other domestic batsmen. The only reason he isn't playing is because he happens to be from the island besides Australia and not from it alongside him not being the marquee auction purchase. It is disappointing because this is the same side that did drop Kuldeep despite the latter being an international player who was running rings around world-class batsman not so long ago.
Russell is an obvious fix. I don't rate Narine's bowling much, it feels like he is always just a couple of matches away from being completely smashed. Unless he picks wickets which he did in the past, he will always be going for the above average spinner's economy at best. But, he has shown that he
can bat, albeit not consistently. And as Kimber mentioned, he is the sort of guy who keeps reinventing himself to survive in this day and age. Most other mystery spinners have long gone while he still clings on.
Morgan is the real oddity. It looked like he finally cracked the IPL code last season with more than 400 runs but is back to his messy self now. I still don't think four suits him, five and above is where he shines. And Kolkata already have DK who prefers batting late and Russell who usually bats late. And he is the captain on top of that. If it weren't for that a franchise would have dropped him but I suppose he will have to be in for that very reason. Changing captains again mid-season is silly. See out this season with him and if he doesn't improve, you can always hit the inevitable reset button with Gill at the helm.
And this is why I believe Kolkata need Shakib in the top order. He prefers batting there, he has shown that he can bat if given time. T20 has never been a strong suit of his in terms of batting but there is a good batsman in him that can be coaxed out if backed. His bowling isn't much different from Narine, he is indeed more likely to be attacked but you do get a much more tactically beneficial style of batting from Shakib.
Rana as an opener feels odd to me when you've got Tripathi already. He did start the season strongly but if it were up to me he would be where he can smash spinners the best rather than open.
Tripathi (powerplay hitter, basically there to get you a quick twenty if possible, anything more which he usually does get is a good bonus)
Gill (bats through the powerplay, keeps things going at a steady rate above 130)
Shakib (yet again, his role to keep the tide rolling until he can hit big)
Rana (I'd bring him in earlier too if spinners are causing trouble. Should be told that he is seen as a valuable player in the side)
Russell (give him more tactical instructions, he needs to realize that he has to bat for longer periods than he does)
Morgan (let him come in and just slog for now given the form he is in)
Karthik (last five overs miracle man)
Nagarkoti/Mavi (whichever one turns up on the day)
Ferguson
Chakravarthy
Krishna/Kuldeep (depending on the pitch. Kuldeep probably isn't getting a game in his current malaise though)
Cummins being dropped is the big surprise obviously. If you still wanted to play him, one of the spin all-rounders in Shakib/Narine get dropped with Gurkeerat playing at three. Or else the unthinkable happens, Morgan steps down and Cummins plays as the number seven. Extremely risky move IMO.
