Zee Media Bureau/ Suyash Srivastava

New Delhi: The first few matches in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League were nothing less than a nightmare for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Their skipper had scored just one run from the first four matches, as a result of which the team didn`t get good starts in most of their matches.

Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir opened the innings in the first three matches, while Manish Pandey and Kallis opened the innings in the fourth match, as an out of form Gambhir came to bat at number three. KKR tried a third opening combination in Gautam Gambhir and Manvinder Bisla in the fifth match of the series, and even though Gambhir found some rhythm, the latter scored just three runs.

KKR`s experiments with the opening pair didn`t end there, and they promoted Robin Uthappa to open the innings with Gambhir in the sixth match. Unlike other moves, this one proved to be a masterstroke as the wicketkeeper batsman has been in tremendous form since then.

What is beyond one`s understanding is why did it take the KKR think-tank so long to send Uthappa to open the innings, as he had done reasonably well as an opener for Pune Warriors India last year.

Ever since he has opened the innings for KKR, Uthappa has scored 325 runs from just six innings. As a result of his sublime form, KKR have won four matches in a row and are looking all set to seal their berth for the playoffs.