The anticipation for IPL 2020 is unmatchable as the most prominent T20 league is all set to be played in UAE. The 13th edition of the IPL will be played between September 19- November 10. In this feature, we’ll take a look at the squad of two times IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Last year KKR narrowly missed out on the playoffs birth as they finished 5th in the season. The Dinesh Kartik led squad has made some changes to the side in the IPL auction to make KKR a more balanced side.
The team is studded with youth and experience that makes them a dangerous side in the upcoming IPL. Pitches in UAE will make Sunil Narine lethal as he will be again looking to win several matches for his franchise. The new million dollar man Pat Cummins will also be a vital cog for KKR this year as he will be looking to emulate his international performances.
Exciting youngsters in the batting such as Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana will also be looking to take their performances a notch higher this year. Meanwhile, two legendary T20 finishers Andre Russell and skipper Dinesh Karthik will be hoping to be at their best and help KKR win the IPL again.
Here is the Predicted playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020:
Shubman Gill
Those who see him bat they rate him as the next big thing of Indian cricket. Shubman Gill is a potential great in the making who will be valuable for KKR this season. Gill has so far hasn’t found a permanent batting position for himself in the team but he is at his best when he bats as an opener.
The 20-year-old has so far played 27 IPL matches in which he has scored 499 runs at a strike rate of 133. Gill will be looking to stamp his authority in IPL 2020 and become a standout batsman for KKR this season.
Rahul Tripathi
The new edition to KKR this season is Rahul Tripathi who has always impressed with his performances in the IPL. The stylish batsman has shown his class against many top class bowlers.
Tripathi will be looking to bat at the top order for KKR and give his side a solid platform. The 29-year-old has an impressive IPL record as he has so far 758 runs at a strike rate of nearing 140. Watch out for him this season as he will be crucial if KKR wants to beat strong teams consistently this season.
Nitish Rana
KKR should be looking bat Nitish Rana at the crucial number 3 spot this year. The southpaw has time and again showed his credentials with the bat in hand in IPL. Rana is a fine player of spin and for certain will be a regular player for KKR in UAE.
The pitches in the UAE will suit his style of batting which is a major boost for his side. In his IPL career so far, Rana has amassed 1085 runs at an average of 30 and strike rate of 135.
Eoin Morgan
The World Cup-winning captain of Eoin Morgan is currently at the peak of his powers. Morgan in the last few years has improved his power hitting and can now hit sixes at will. KKR will be hoping that Morgan shares his valuable inputs with his side and also takes them home when under pressure.
Morgan in 52 IPL matches has 854 runs to his name at a strike rate of 121. He will certainly like to improve his strike rate this season and produce match-winning performances much as he does for his national team.
Rinku Singh
The 22-year-old Rinku Singh will be another batsman KKR can look to include their side. Considering the surfaces in UAE that will assist spinners, Rinku can be key as he is at home against spin.
The 22-year-old has so far only played 9 matches in his IPL career but KKR can certainly feature him in the squad this year.
Dinesh Karthik
Skipper Dinesh Karthik is one of the best strikers in India today. The middle-order batsman now has understood his game well and focuses on his strengths will batting. Karthik captained his side well last year but this year he would be looking lead from the front with the bat in hand and finish close matches.
The veteran in 182 IPL matches has achieved 3654 runs at a strike rate of 130 which makes him a threat to any opposition.
Andre Russell
The ‘MVP’ and the crown in the jewel of KKR Andre Russell is one of the all-time great T20 players in the world. He is the X factor of KKR who can single-handedly win matches on his day. Russell is a match-winner in all departments which makes him a rare commodity.
He indeed is a luxury to have for any side as he is a nightmare for any opposing team.
Sunil Narine
Another star West Indian player Sunil Narine will be a major player for KKR this year. His mystery spin will bamboozle the batsmen of all teams. Narine is undoubtedly a KKR legend who has consistently performed for the franchise over his illustrious career in the IPL.
Prasidh Krishna
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is also an exciting player to watch out for this season. Krishna cemented his place in the KKR squad as he impressed everyone with his pace and ability to bowl yorker in the slog overs.
Shivam Mavi
Another impressive young Indian fast bowler Shivam Mavi will be treated to watch in IPL 2020. His raw pace instantly makes him a potent weapon to have for KKR. The 21-year-old is known to bowl at around 150 Kmph that will trouble any batsman in the world.
Mavi will certainly play several matches for KKR this season and will also be hoping to catch the eye of the Indian selectors.
Kuldeep Yadav
Leg Spinner Kuldeep Yadav can prove to be extremely deadly for KKR this season. Kuldeep now has the reputation of being a leading spinner in white-ball cricket. The leggie will provide variety to the bowling attack of KKR and be a wicket-taker in the middle overs.
Kuldeep, in the 40 IPL matches, has picked 39 wickets at an economy rate of 8 which is not bad considering he is always bowling in the pressure situations.