Kolkata Knight Riders have always been one of the strongest IPL teams. They have a knack of winning matches out of nowhere. It is safe to say that KKR were good in the IPL 2021 auctions. Today we shall take a look at the predicted playing XI for KKR for the upcoming IPL 2021:
1) Shubhman Gill:
Shubman Gill was spectacular in IPL 2020 being the highest run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders. He smashed 440 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 117+. He has grown himself as an opener since the start of this year. He will be the perfect man to start the innings.
2) Rahul Tripathi:
Tripathi is tailor made for T20Is. He scored 230 runs in 11 innings in IPL 2020 which included a fifty. Opening with Tripathi gives him the luxury to start hitting from ball one.
3) Nitish Rana:
With the ability to hit long shots, Nitish Rana has come out as a strong batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders. In IPL 2020, he scored 352 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 138+. He also smashed three fifties in the tournament. He would be superb at 3.
4) Eoin Morgan (C):
Eoin Morgan will be the best person to lead the team. He took over captainship from Dinesh Karthik midway the last season and lead the team more efficiently in the tournament. KKR just missed out on playoffs due to a lesser net-run rate than Royal Challengers Bangalore. The England cricketer is the best option as skipper for KKR at the moment.
5) Dinesh Karthik (WK):
Dinesh Karthik will be a good option behind the wicket. He has great ability in the lower-middle order position. His quick-hitting skills will be an added advantage for KKR. He also has great experience as a wicket-keeper. His record as a finisher is very good and KKR would hope that he has a good season this time around.
6) Andre Russell:
Kolkata Knight Riders missed their powerful all-rounder last season dearly with the bat. He just scored 117 runs in the season, which was his worst for KKR. The franchise would hope that Russell returns to the batting form which he showed in 2019 scoring over 500 runs for the franchise. His batting position can be changed depending on the match situation as well.
7) Sunil Narine:
Sunil Narine will be the best option to lead the spin attack. With the addition of Shakib-al-Hasan as a secondary bowler, Sunil Narine can try his tactics to dominate the opposition while bowling. Sunil Narine is a crucial bowler for KKR, as he has the ability to grab breakthroughs during the match.
8) Pat Cummins:
Pat Cummins will the best bowler to kickstart the pace attack for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first game. He has come out as a dominating bowler in recent times. He should be part of the playing 11, which will enable KKR to disturb the opposition batsmen.
9) Kamlesh Nagarkoti:
Kamlesh Nagarkoti is a good fast bowler which KKR comprises. KKR doesn’t have big domestic pace bowler in the team, so Kamlesh Nagarkoti should be given preference.
10) Varun Chakravarthy:
Chakravarthy made sure he bowled tight lines and kept the pressure on the batsmen. In the 13 matches which he played, he picked up 17 wickets. His bowling average and the economy were tremendous, standing at 20.94 and 6.84 respectively. He even got a maiden call-up for the national team but failed to make it to the Australian tour due to an injury he had picked up late in the IPL season. His mystery bowling has foxed many batsmen as he developed a tag of being a difficult bowler to face.
11) Shivam Mavi:
Mavi was superb in the powerplay overs in the last year. He has been good for KKR over the years and not seeing him start would be a surprise to say the least.
Do take a look at our video where we have analyzed the same in detail: