KKR pacer Tim Southee accepts that “chopping and changing” is not ideal for a team, but has argued that they have been forced to try out different combinations because of a string of defeats.

KKR, for the record, have used four different opening combinations this season.

Speaking after Thursday’s defeat to Delhi Capitals, the New Zealander said: “It’s hard when you haven’t had the wins you wanted. After a big auction, we are still trying to find the right combinations.

“We’ve tried a few opening combinations and there are no bad players in the IPL, they’re all class acts. The guys who’ve opened have pure class as well. So, it’s just about guys finding form and running with guys who’ve found form.

“The chopping and changing nature isn’t ideal, but that happens when you aren’t winning a lot of games.”

The Shreyas Iyer-captained Knights have lost five matches on the trot and lie eighth on the ten-team table.