Lethal Lynn playing smarter, not harder

Chris Lynn's 2018 approach to batting in the Indian Premier League is vastly different to the power-hitting we've become accustomed to from the Aussie blaster in the game's shortest format.

Lynn, who was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders after a breakout season last year, has had a substantially demurer start to this season's IPL, with his strike-rate dropping from 181 (2017) to 131.9 (2018).

In comparison, Lynn's T20 career strike-rate sits at 146.9 and his KFC Big Bash League numbers are even higher at 158.2. The Queenslander acknowledged the shift in mentality after his unbeaten 62 from 52 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, earned him player-of-the-match honours.

"It's not the usual free-flowing innings I normally play," Lynn said. "But it was good to grind out and get some runs on the board and finish not out to gain some confidence for the back-end of the tournament."

At the same point last season, Lynn had blasted 19 sixes – compared to seven this year – before injuring his troublesome shoulder, an issue that has recurred throughout his career, most recently during Australia's T20I tri-series victory in New Zealand in February when he dislocated the joint.

On the slower, lower wickets of India, the 28-year-old has opted to occupy the crease for longer periods, rather than taking a 'hit-out or get-out' approach. The only notable exception came against Kings XI Punjab when he blasted 74 from 41 balls with four sixes, though even that innings was considered in the context of the match.

The changed strategy has so far reaped 248 runs from eight innings, while Lynn has also borrowed from the subcontinental playbook of fellow Queenslander Matthew Hayden in employing the sweep shot to great effect on the IPL surfaces.

"I had to find a way (to score)," he said. "It's quite challenging to hit down the ground and obviously there is some quality spinners.

"I had to find a way and it worked for me tonight. It might not work in Kolkata so I'll have to re-assess there."

Lynn forms one of the most potent opening duos in the tournament with Sunil Narine, with either possessing the ability to score quickly and set a platform for the dangerous Kolkata middle order. "We like to get momentum early in the piece with the new ball and (during) the Powerplay, with the field restrictions we like to get off to a flyer," Lynn said.

"It's a good partnership and I'm enjoying batting with him. It's good fun. He doesn't really say much – you just let him be because he's a natural striker of the ball, (and) if it comes off we usually win the game."

Lynn's Knight Riders next face ladder leaders Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens on Friday. A win would consolidate their spot in the final four.

Australian viewers can watch the 2018 season of the IPL exclusively on Fox Sports