With much fanfare, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) fold. They were co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, so they made rapid strides in the Indian cricket fanbase.
With two titles in their trophy cabinet, KKR is one of the most popular franchises in the IPL betting fancy option. Though they had ordinary seasons, cricket enthusiasts have always had high hopes for the franchise. This blog will look at the five crucial factors for their maiden IPL triumph.
5 Key Reasons for KKR’s Maiden IPL Triumph
The first three seasons were disastrous for KKR, as they failed to finish in the top four. That was when the franchise underwent a complete restructuring, which included a new captain, a coach, and a new set of players, especially the unorthodox ones.
The story began in 2011 when the team reached the Eliminator before losing to Mumbai Indians. With 2012 beckoning, the team knew they had to pull up their socks. And they did! It was the season they peaked and convinced cricket fans and bettors that they were a franchise worth backing on an online cricket betting platform.
Here are the five factors that saw KKR clinch the trophy in 2012:
New Coach & Captain:
The first thing the KKR owners did was sack their coach and captain. These were big names, but the owners wanted to win at all costs. Gambhir was installed as captain in 2011. The opening batter’s tactical acumen was impressive, and in 2012, he ensured that he led the side to glory. Meanwhile, Trevor Bayliss’ appointment before the 2012 edition was also crucial. Bayliss, who had a stint with the Sri Lankan national team and success in BBL, made significant psychological changes, ensuring no one felt insecure. There was no whining and complaining despite the initial stutter in 2012.
Away Domination:
While the other teams dominated at home, KKR won more games away. They played eight away games and won seven in the league stage. It was pure gold for the fans, and credit goes to some of the star players who fired in unison. They compensated well for their below-average home appearances, as the string of away wins helped them stay in contention in the race for the playoffs.
Skipper Leads from the Front:
Gambhir will always go down as the biggest hero of the 2012 campaign. He was the franchise’s top run scorer that season. The KKR captain accounted for 590 runs, becoming the second-highest run scorer in the season. Gambhir hit six fifties and had an excellent strike rate of 143. He didn’t play flashy knocks but always prioritized the team’s safety.
Sunil Narine Magic:
Narine’s arrival in 2012 surprised batters. He was different; his bowling action, a brief pause before delivering the ball, helped him deceive the batters. Unlike some orthodox names, he bowled flat and fast, troubling the batters with his pace variation. He became the top wicket-taker for KKR and second-highest in the season with 24 wickets.
Domestic Players:
Domestic players also chipped in for KKR. Yusuf Pathan, Manvinder Bisla, Manoj Tiwary, and Debabrata Das made vital contributions in the season. They played key roles in the middle order. Tiwary and Das accounted for 260 and 126 runs, respectively. Pathan played the role of a finisher, while Bisla scored the match-winning 89 runs in the final.
