Predicted XI of Kolkata Knight Riders for Match 2 of IPL 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last won an IPL trophy in 2014 and have underwhelmed ever since (except in 2021 when they finished runner-ups).
Inconsistent performances in every department and relying heavily on the Caribbean duo (Andre Russell and Sunil Narine) have brought about the downfall. With another IPL season upon us, can the men in Purple and Gold bring back the glory? With skipper Shreyas Iyer ruled out for an indefinite period, it seems a far-fetched reality.
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What is the strongest possible XI that head coach Chandrakant Pandit can field? They should undoubtedly enhance their batting depth to compensate for an unreliable middle order. Furthermore, playing a plethora of all-rounders will also grant cushion to stand-in-captain Nitish Rana if the bowling is taken to the cleaners.
Here’s looking at KKR’s best-possible XI this year (after ruling out unprecedented injuries/ unavailability).
Openers for KKR: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer playing for KKR (Source: Twitter)
Kolkata Knight Riders traded Rahamanullah Gurbaz for this IPL season. He will surely be getting a place in the playing in match nunmber one for the team. The other opener with Gurbaz should be the Indian left hander, Venkatesh Iyer.
Number 3 for KKR: Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana, at number 3, will have a greater responsibility on his shoulders in Shreyas’ absence. He has to play the role of an anchor while not going into a shell. At one down, he has played 30 innings (for both MI and KKR) and scored 712 runs at an average of 24.55, which he would like to work upon.
Middle order for KKR: Rinku Singh, Mandeep Singh, Andre Russell
Andre Russell and David Wiese practicing for KKR (Source: Twitter/KKR)
Rinku Singh, who played some influential knocks in 2022, will be the one to watch out for. He has been terrific for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit and would be eager to become KKR’s batting mainstay this season.
Mandeep Singh mjght find a place in the KKR middle-order. In between all the power hitters and dynamic batters, they would need the presence of someone who can solidify the innings and then change gears as per the situation of the match.
Andre Russell scored 335 runs in 12 innings in IPL 2022 at an average of 37.22. Moreover, he scalped 17 wickets in 14 matches in the same year. Dre Russ’ destructive potential is hidden from none and so is his injury-prone nature. If he remains fit, KKR’s chances will depend on his form. However, the think-tank must not be rigid with his batting position; he should come in neither too early nor too late and be an ideal floater.
Lower Middle Order: Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine will be once again a key cog in the KKR bowling machinery (Source: Twitter/KKR)
When KKR acquired the services of Shardul Thakur, trading him from Delhi Capitals, mixed opinions aired. As Thakur has been expensive in white-ball cricket, he might not solve KKR’s death-bowling woes. However, his knack for picking wickets against the run of play augurs well for the side. And he is not a sitting duck with the bat.
Sunil Narine has been an integral part of the team set up since time immemorial. His presence will provide them with the dynamism and the flexibility in the batting line-up. Narine will also have to olay a big part in the bowling efforts of the team.
Bowlers: Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy
Tim Southee has been a vital addition to the KKR scheme of things (Source: Twitter/KKR)
Tim Southee has been a vital addition to the KKR equation in this edition of the tournament. He will play a key role for the team in their bowleing efforts. There is a chance that they might go for Lockie Ferguson as well. But whether the back the experience of Southee will be the thing to see.
Umesh Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy take the last two spots in this XI. Yadav will be most potent in the Powerplay overs, and the captain must be aware of the same. Varun had a forgettable IPL 2022 but would be eager to make a strong comeback. KKR are showing a lot of promise in Suyash Sharma and he’ll keep Varun on his toes.
Predicted Playing XI of KKR vs PBKS (Source: OneCricket)
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