Problems with KK
1) Lack of players with Hunger
Have a look at the players who played for KK this time around
Ganguly - Retired, Veteran
Gayle - Veteran
McCullum - Veteran
Shah - Veteran
Hodge - Veteran
Hussey - International
Mendis/Mattehws - International
Kartik - Not in contention for internationals
Bond - Veteran
Dinda, Shukla, Tiwary, Pujara, Saha - Young n locals but not extraordinary to be honest
Out of these players, just how many call fall under the shadows of young, hungry and explosive ? I guess none, there lies the biggest problem. KK players are not hungry enough to succeed. They feels like Playing in IPL is after all, a destination, which it is not. Someone like Vijay, Manhas, Sodhi, Ojha, Kohli, U Yadav, Warner, Suman, Tiwary, Rayudu, Theron can surely be a boost cos they feel like hungry all the time, which directly translates to what goes on the field.
Playing veterans I feel has a negative effect on the team, these guys can play but to win they are not that much concerne cos they dont have any national selections to look forward to ? Youngsters on the other hand take every match as if its their last match. This attitude has to come into everyone's mind.
2) Bad strategy n team selection
Why KK played Saha when McCullum was there for keeping ? Saha costed two players place, he cant bat and to be honest he is just average behind wickets. McCullum keeping would have given KK choice to select genuine batsman or bowler. He played each match which is pure bullshit to me. Dont know why some one like Ganguly has gone wrong on team selection.
3) Too much dependence on couple of guys
KK has pareto principle stamped all over their performance. Its just one or two guys who perform and depending on those the results matter.
If Gayle/McCullum doesnt fire they are in deep deep drain and provided if someone else from Ganguly/Tiwary doesnt fire, game over. In the first match they were some 17/4 but scored 160 odd, thanks largely to Shah and Mattews. This is a team game and if that is not happening something is really wrong with KK.
4) Select on the basis of performance and not reputation
When Shah was playing so well why he was dropped ? Why does Mattehws played each match when in the middle of tournament he was just misfiring ? Why did Langevelt dint play long ? KK need to stop selecting players on performance and not reputation. Unadkat in his first/second match played brilliantly. Why was he not given a chance when results would have mattered least ?
Way Forward
It would take a lot from some like Ganguly (if he decides to play next year) or Whatmore to turn the tables for KK. They need some real good local young talent who wants to succeed and not someone who is just looking at earning the pay cheque more than anything else. Also allrounders will never always win you matches. Do some wise thinking before bidding for players. Bond and Pollard costed same but look at the performance. Buy them young, let them ripe.
