How Can Kolkata Knight Riders Win IPL 2024?

Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell Training Alongside Gautam Gambhir (X.com)Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell Training Alongside Gautam Gambhir (X.com)

After Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the third-most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of number of title wins. However, it doesn’t seem so in reality, as the Purple and Gold Brigade have had disastrous performances more often than not, and it feels like they have passed their prime long ago.

This time around, things have changed drastically. They have their main man, Gautam Gambhir, back, who led them to win the title twice in three years. In addition, they acquired the services of Mitchell Starc, who can tear apart any opposition on his best days.

In short, KKR seem to have found all the elements to make it look like a champion side yet again. Here, in this article, we will talk about their primary strength, and what could make them a title-winning team yet again after a decade-long wait.


Shreyas Back; Rinku & Russell As Lethal Finishers

Rinku Singh, Andre Russell training hard ahead of IPL 2024 (X.com)Rinku Singh, Andre Russell training hard ahead of IPL 2024 (X.com)

Even though Andre Russell is no longer at his prime, his blistering cameos in West Indies’ recent tour of Australia suggest that he still has it. To support him, Rinku Singh, who is having the best time of his life, will be there, which is easily KKR’s USP in the coming edition.

To bolster their unit, Shreyas Iyer, who missed out on the entire season, will be back as their leader. In Shreyas’ absence, Nitish Rana took on the leadership duties in IPL 2023, and the 29-year-old’s return to the set-up, particularly as the captain of the ship, will boost them up significantly.

A Complete bowling unit with Starc's return to IPL

Mitchell Starc during KKR training (X.com)Mitchell Starc during KKR training (X.com)

KKR have always been a side that have the tournament’s best spin attacks more often than not. This time, they have the familiar trio—Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Suyash Sharma—in their unit, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman has joined them to make them look even more potent.

And then there is Starc, a fast bowler who can lead any attack in any format. Hence, the Australian left-arm pacer's presence in this bowling unit has helped them boast of having a tremendously improved bowling side.

Guru Brahma! Guru Vishnu! Guru Gautam Gambhir!

Gautam Gambhir talking to Nitish Rana in KKR's training (X.com)Gautam Gambhir talking to Nitish Rana in KKR's training (X.com)

Gautam Gambhir has an elite-winning mentality in his veins, and his competitiveness and aggression on and off the field have been widely cheered, and sometimes, even brought criticism. Nevertheless, his presence in KKR’s dugout will surely make a difference, given that his speeches after his return to his home have already made a lot of headlines.

All KKR fans wanted in the past few seasons was to bring their GG back. They got what they wanted, and now, only time will tell whether it is enough to win the prestigious title.