Starc To Spearhead Attack; Shreyas, Rinku To Star In Batting; KKR’s Strongest XI For IPL 2024

Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc hold the key for KKR in IPL 2024 (X.com)

Let’s be honest here. Throughout the previous few years, the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) never appeared to be a serious title contender in the IPL. But now, with Gautam Gambhir at the helm, they don’t seem like the same mediocre side any longer.

As a matter of fact, their approach to assembling the team during the just-finished auction, especially their lavish spending on Mitchell Starc, demonstrated their upcoming intention.

Now the question is how KKR will put together their strongest playing XI in the IPL 2024. Let’s examine it here.

Openers: Venkatesh Iyer, Philip Salt/Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Venkatesh Iyer in action for IPL (X.com)

With KKR roping in Phil Salt for Jason Roy, Gambhir & Co. now have an out-and-out replacement for Rahmanullah Gurbaz. At the same time, they don’t have any overseas selection headaches either. However, Gurbaz has almost certainly been confirmed, even though KKR should ideally start with Salt. 

In addition, Venkatesh Iyer's opening position is now particularly vacant as well.

Middle-Order: Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell

Rinku Singh & Nitish Rana posing during IPL 2023 (X.com)

On paper, there are only a few franchises that can be stronger than KKR’s middle-order in the IPL 2024. They all look like a deadly combination, with Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, and Andre Russell in the middle and the highly effective Rinku Singh behind them.

Under current circumstances, Shreyas is more hungry than anyone else, hence, this will be a make-or-break campaign for him.

Lower-Order: Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc

Sunil Narine batting during IPL 2023 (X.com)

Even though Sunil Narine’s earlier heroics with the bat don’t exist any longer, we should not forget that it was Gambhir who started it all before anyone else. So, don’t be surprised if Narine starts to contribute with important runs yet again under his guidance.

Also, we all know Starc is capable of scoring runs quickly. With him and Narine around, KKR get a lineup that can bat deep as well.

Bowlers: Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma (Impact Sub)

Varun Chakravarthy made significant impact in IPL 2023 (X.com)

KKR did not have any quality Indian pacer for some time, and Gambhir completed the requirement by bringing in Chetan Sakariya in this latest auction. He will form an intriguing attacking trio with Starc and one of Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora.

To assist them, they also have mystery spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Suyash Sharma. Needless to say, that also suggests that they have too many bowling options to choose from this time around.

KKR's Strongest Playing XI For IPL 2024

Venkatesh Iyer, Philip Salt, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc, Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma (Impact Sub)

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