Skipper K L Rahul blamed lack of wickets in the middle overs and a below-par show by the middle order batters for India's 31-run defeat to South Africa in the One-Day International series-opener, in Paarl, on Wednesday.
KKR lost four batsmen in a row for ducks.
KKR struggled for stability in the last edition in the UAE, while a change of captaincy at the halfway stage did not help them either.
Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, KL Rahul and Yuzvendra Chahal were among the big names to be released ahead of the mega auction.
'One thing I can say is that they would be watching the fast-bowling department more than anything else as they are going to Australia in four months' times after the IPL.'
Sunil Narine was the hero with both bat and ball as Kolkata Knight Riders scored a three-wicket win over Delhi Capitals and boosted their hopes of a place in the IPL play-offs, in Sharjah on Tuesday.
Ravindra Jadeja's batting in the 19th over turned the game on its head.
Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal is likely to lead India 'A' in three four-day 'Tests' against New Zealand 'A'
Defending champions Mumbai Indians would look for inspiration from skipper Rohit Sharma, who is set to return to action, when they take on a rejuvenated Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.
LSG are sitting in second place with 14 point thanks to a stupendous show by Rahul
India will need another near perfect game to take the five-match series into the decider.
India are likely to rest most of their senior players during the T20I series against New Zealand at home, which starts less than a week after the final of the T20 World Cup next month.
While the batting looks in perfect shape, India's new-look pace department needs to come up with something special against the Proteas in Cuttack on Sunday.
Images from the Indian Premier League 'Eliminator' between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Sharjah.
Delhi Capitals bowler Ravichandran Ashwin and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan were involved in a heated exchange after the former was dismissed by Tim Southee in the last over of Delhi's in the Indian Premier League match, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday.
Images from the second T20 International between India and New Zealand, in Ranchi, on Friday.
It is understood that Kuldeep, who had lost his mojo in the Kohli-Ravi Shastri era, has been called back as the current team management and selectors feel that he has the X-Factor to contribute to team's cause.
Rishabh Pant understands the value of his wicket and the reason why the team management often asks him to use his discretion in shot selection during important phases of various matches.
India's head coach Rahul Dravid had no hesitation in admitting that the ODI squad lacked balance with the likes of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja unavailable to execute their all-round skills at numbers six and seven respectively.
The IPL 2022 player retention witnessed interesting action as some franchises generously splurged cash on their trusted players as others helplessly watched their top players walk away.
Kolkata Knight Riders resemble a sinking ship ahead of a rather inconsequential IPL-15 match against bottom-placed Mumbai Indians who, even if already out of reckoning, will have their tails up in Navi Mumbai on Monday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Friday's second T20I against New Zealand?
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
Punjab Kings bowling coach Damien Wright lauds his players after the victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL match inDubai on Friday.
Should the non-performers in IPL's UAE leg be axed?
Gujarat Titans have been firing on all cylinders, with their batting prowess and bowling might.
Chandrakant Pandit is ready to mould himself within permissible limits when he dons the hat of Kolkata Knight Riders' head coach in IPL 2023.
Images from the IPL 2022 match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.
India head coach Rahul Dravid says he and skipper Rohit Sharma are pretty clear about the team for the T20 World Cup in Australia in less than eight months' time.
Right now, the focus of next two weeks is to play for India. All these guys are professionals...nothing else matters, captain Rohit Sharma said at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Out of favour India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has decided to skip Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Dayers) starting across the country from Wednesday as he is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation programme.
Madhya Pradesh humbled domestic powerhouse Mumbai by six wickets in a one-sided final to win their maiden Ranji Trophy crown, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru on Sunday. It was an achievement of sorts for coach Chandrakant Pandit, who exorcised the ghosts of losing one at the same venue 23 summers ago. It was a record sixth national title for Pandit as a coach.
'He is already training in Mumbai and is expected to be in Bangalore for the fitness test and get a formal okay from the National Cricket Academy.'
The finisher's job is only gaining significance in the power-packed modern game
Images from the first T20 International between India and New Zealand, in Jaipur, on Wednesday.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is aware that it might be possible to retain only three to four players before IPL's mega auction but given a chance he would love to enter the next season with almost the same team he has now.
It was Rahul Tripathi, who eventually saved his team the blushes with a six off Ravichandran Ashwin in the final over, which sealed KKR a place in the final against Chennai Super Kings.
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant said the team is trying to find out which positions suit whom and how they can benefit the team.
Goli Vada Pav has close to 300 stores in more than 60 cities across 16 states.
Royal Challengers Bangalore batters overcame some nervy moments after leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga spun his way to a four-wicket haul to register a three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
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