Australian fast bowler to make a comeback in KKR team for the playoffs

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at :

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Johnson, who hasn’t had a great IPL so far, picking up only two wickets in his six appearances, was seen sweating it out in the nets ahead of the Eliminator.

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Keeping the extra pace and bounce of the Eden track in mind, it won’t be a surprise if KKR decide to include an extra fast bowler in Mavi.

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There is England fast bowler Tom Curran but Tom Curran too but Johnson’s big match experience makes him the ideal candidate to replace Searles.

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Even foreign players have been shuffled but none of them really emerged as the leader with the new ball.

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However, the seam bowling department remains a cause of concern for the two-time champions. That has been the only area where the Knights have chopped and changed little too often for comfort.

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They started off with Vinay Kumar, then shifted to Shivam Mavi and now have resorted to Prasidh Krishna.

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Going into the play-offs, Knight Riders, therefore are certain to make a change in their playing XI and in all probability it will be former Australian Mitchell Johnson.

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Johsnosn, who has had a stop and start IPL appears to be front runner to make a comeback to the playing XI in place of young West Indian Javon Searles.

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Searles played the last two league matches for KKR but failed to leave an impression and did bowled only two overs in the last match.

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KKR's main weapons has been Karthik and Sunil Narine alongwith sizable contributions from the wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and dashing Australian opener Chris Lynn.

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Besides having the home advantage, KKR will also start as favourites against depleted Royals who made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.

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KKR are the only team among the four knockout entrants to have got their matches in their own backyard. If they win the Eliminator, their Qualifier 2 will also be at the same venue on May 25.

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