The two-time IPL winners would be looking to dominate and match the record of most IPL title wins along with the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Kolkata Knight Riders are the most versatile team in the competition. They are known for their smart buys in the auction and choose players based on potential contributions rather than fame.

They bought 8 players in the auction which includes Carlos Brathwaite for a massive amount of INR 5Cr. They managed to get some good foreign picks such as Lockie Ferguson and Joe Denly.

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad –

Batsmen – Chris Lynn, Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Nikhil Naik, Nitish Rana

All Rounders – Joe Denly, Shrikant Mundhe, Carlos Braithwaite, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla

Wicket Keepers – Dinesh Karthik, Robin Utthappa

Bowlers – Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Sandeep Warrier, Prasadh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson, Anrich Nortje, Harry Gurney, Yarra Prithviraj

Team Composition and Analysis –

Strategy wise, this team resembles to that of Chennai Super Kings, with a common bunch of players already existing in the team. Many of them are used to playing in home conditions at Eden Gardens. The remarkable part about this team is that, most of them are currently at the top of their forms, especially Shubman Gill who is breaking records in the domestic format.

The devastating duo of Lynn and Narine can break down the confidence of any opening bowler. Nitish Rana can be highly destructive with his slogs while Robin Uthappa and Shubman Gill will demonstrate the class of their batting. In case, an of these options fail, we have Andre Rusell and Carlos Braithwaite who can literally tear apart the bowlers and hit humungous sixes in the death overs. Dinesh Karthik will also be looking to play vital innings with the bat and put his calmness into application.

Coming to bowlers, Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav would be looking forward to spin a web and get through the batting order of the opponents but the only issue with the team might be lack of experience in the pace bowling attack.

Ratings –

Batting – 8/10

All rounders – 8/10

Bowling – 6/10

Let us know your thoughts on KKR’s team and if they have a chance to defend the title.