Predicted Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders for Match 22 of IPl 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders lost their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad by 23 runs (Source: iplt20.com)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been well led by Nitish Rana as despite having numerous deficiencies in their squad, the side has managed to punch above their weight.
With two wins and as many losses in their account, KKR are currently placed fourth on the points table. Their next challenge comes in the form of Mumbai Indians (MI), who too earned their first victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 in their last match only.
Before the battle begins, let us predict KKR's playing combination.
Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Narayan Jagadeesan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has opened for KKR in all the matches so far in the season, however, it has not been a smooth ride for him. The batter has a score of fifty-plus to his name in one of the games but the remaining matches saw him falter early. Though Litton Das can come in Gurbaz's place, KKR will likely give the latter another go.
Narayan Jagadeesan showed promise against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the run-chase of 229 runs. He scored a 21-ball 36 and most probably will be retained in the XI.
Middle-order: Venkatesh Iyer*, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh
KKR's middle-order consists of the domestic trio of Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh.
Rinku Sigh has been in tremendous form for KKR in IPL 2023 (Source: AP Photo)
While Venkatesh recently played a match-winning 83-run knock versus Gujarat Titans, Rinku Singh too wrote an IPL success story when he smashed five sixes in Yash Dayal's over to complete an almost impossible win. He followed that up another scintillating half-century against Hyderabad.
KKR captain Nitish also is running in good nick and will head to the MI clash on the back of a brilliant fifty.
All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur
Andre Russell claimed three wickets in the previous encounter but had to walk off the field in the middle of his third over as he felt discomfort. However, he returned to bat in the second innings and scored just three runs. But the West Indian still forms the fulcrum of KKR's line-up.
Sunil Narine too has been impressive with the ball in the competition but his last two batting outings comprise golden ducks and it is one factor where he needs to work on.
Although Shardul Thakur did not fare well versus the Sunrisers, he still made a game-changing contribution against Royal Challengers Bangalore with the bat and will be aiming to replicate similar performance.
Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy and Suyash Sharma/Kulwant Khejroliya*
KKR have been abysmal in their bowling so far. They have conceded over 200 runs in two out of four fixtures. However, they do not have many options to choose from. Maybe in place of Suyash Sharma, they can try Kulwant Khejroliya.
If KKR bat first, Suyash or Kulwant can be subbed in as Venkatesh's replacement.
Impact Players
- Anukul Roy
- David Wiese
- Mandeep Singh
- Vaibhav Arora
- Venkatesh Iyer/Suyash Sharma/Kulwant Khejroliya
 "Aayush Mahajan")
