The Kolkata Knight Riders began their IPL 2023 journey on a disappointing note with a seven-run loss to the Punjab Kings. However, they will soon receive a much-needed boost with the addition of Litton Das, who is currently preparing for a one-off Test match against Ireland before joining the IPL.
Das has been in excellent form over the past six months, scoring runs consistently for Bangladesh in all formats and performing exceptionally well in the Bangladesh Premier League. He could play a crucial role in the KKR team, particularly with Shakib Al Hasan opting out of the tournament.
Das will only be available for a short period in the IPL as he is set to leave on May 1 for Bangladesh’s ODI series against Ireland, which starts on May 9. His participation in the second half of the tournament will depend on KKR’s position in the points table and whether they qualify for the playoffs.
The KKR management eagerly anticipates Das’ performance in the limited matches he will be available for. Given his excellent form, he could replace Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the team’s playing XI.
Here are three reasons why Litton Das could play a crucial role in KKR’s success in the IPL this year.
Fearless Attitude
Despite Litton Das’ impressive strokeplay, he is also known for his fearless personality and his desire to take on bowlers head-on. Although he has shown flashes of his talent in previous years, his recent transformation and ability to take down top-class bowlers have elevated him to the player he is today.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup game against India, Das played a whirlwind inning that brought Bangladesh within reach of a historic victory before they faltered in the latter stages. He faced up to the likes of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with aplomb and raced to a 27-ball 60 before an unfortunate run-out brought his innings to an end.
With his upcoming availability, Das could make a significant difference to KKR’s fortunes in the IPL.
Sheer Consistency
Although Litton Das has always been a natural talent, his inconsistency has been a significant hurdle in his career thus far. However, over the last few months, he has taken his batting to new heights and found the key to succeeding at the highest level.
During the recent white-ball series against Ireland, Das was in excellent form, especially in the ODI and T20I matches. His innings of 73 runs against a strong English attack played a significant role in Bangladesh’s 3-0 series win, including an impressive victory over the world T20 champions England.
As soon as he is available, Das is expected to be a key player in the KKR lineup. Before joining the cash-rich league, he will aim to get some runs under his belt in the one-off Test match against Ireland.
Skilled in Adapting to the Field of Play
There is much more to Litton Das’ style of play than just strength and huge shots. He has few weaknesses in his armor and a strong defense to go along with his satisfying ground attacks.
Das can drop anchor and play the waiting game if KKR loses early wickets before launching in the last overs. He is a good ball-timer and routinely manages to spot openings, especially in the middle of the game.
KKR will be hoping that his addition to the team will help them turn things around.
