Kolkata Knight Riders had the least budget of 10.75 crores during IPL 2021 auction (along with Sunrisers Hyderabad), but the franchisee made intelligent decisions to buy 8 players into their squad with the amount. Shakib-al-Hasan (Rs. 3.2 crores) and Harbhajan Singh (Rs. 2 crores) and Ben Cutting (75 lakhs) were KKR’s top two buys in IPL 2021 auction. While Harbhajan’s international experience will be of immense advantage for the team management, the likes of Shakib and Cutting are ideal backup options for Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. KKR CEO Venky Mysore even said that Shakib covers up as a backup option for all the overseas players of the squad.
The Shahrukh Khan-owned franchisee won the title in 2012 and 2014. In IPL 2020 last year, Kolkata Knight Riders equaled Royal Challengers Bangalore with 14 points in the points table but failed to qualify for playoffs due to poor net run rate. With the team looking even stronger with the backup options we delve into choosing the best possible XI for the side for IPL 2021.
Here is the Predicted Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was spectacular in IPL 2020 being the highest run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders. He smashed 440 runs in 14 matches. With him now breaking into the Indian international squad, he will be expected to bat with more responsibility opening the innings for the two-time IPL champions. He is already a part of the leadership group of the side.
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Sunil Narine
Narine is one of the most important players of the KKR setup. He has improved his batting in the last three to four seasons. However, he is still picked for in the team more for his bowling than his batting prowess. He will open the innings with Gill providing an attacking option for the team upfront.
Nitish Rana
Rana has been KKR’s designated number three ever since he has been playing for the side. In IPL 2020, he scored 352 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 138 including three fifties. If KKR loses an early wicket, Rana can anchor the innings scoring into bat at number three.
Eoin Morgan
The KKR skipper is one of the best T20 players in the world. His rich experience of playing T20 cricket across the globe comes in handy as we.. He is a fabulous player of spin bowling with an array of shots in his arsenal. He did not bat consistently at number four in the last season. However, for the team’s sake, he should bat at that position in the upcoming season, to himself the best chance to score runs for his team. He was the second-highest run-getter for Kolkata Knight Riders last season with 418 runs from 14 matches.
Dinesh Karthik
The veteran Indian cricketer has been playing the role of a finisher for Team India and KKR ever since MS Dhoni’s retirement. Karthik bats his best when he comes with less the five overs to go. He chopped and changed his batting position way too much last season and ended up scoring just 169 runs from 14 games. Solely for the team’s perspective, Karthik should bat at five and bat in the end overs.
Andre Russell
Kolkata Knight Riders missed their powerful all-rounder last season dearly with the bat. He just scored 117 runs in the season, which was his worst for KKR. The franchise would hope that Russell returns to the batting form which he showed in 2019 scoring over 500 runs for the franchise. His batting position can be changed depending on the match situation as well.
Harbhajan Singh
The veteran Indian spinner is no mug with the bat and can bat at number seven. He can hit some lusty blows with the bat and can partner Narine from the other end as well. Harbhajan and Narine bowling in tandem will b a sight to behold for the KKR fans as well.
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Pat Cummins
The Australian pacer Pat Cummins was picked up at 15.5 crores. After a late start, Cummins picked up 12 wickets in the season and scored 146 runs including an unbeaten 53. Cummins will add that pace with the ball as well. Also this time with the IPL happening in India, he will find help from the pitches as well. They will surely be not as fast as Sharjah or Abu Dhabi.
Varun Chakravarty
Varun was the standout performer with the ball for KKR last season. He finished the season with 17 wickets which earned him a national call-up with the Indian team. With KKR being one of the sides that have been dependent on their spin attack, they would like to go with an extra spinning option. After missing out on the Australia series, Varun has now been included for the upcoming T20I series against England.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Kalesh has been groomed by the KKR set up since 2018 now. After missing the first two seasons due to injury, he finally made his debut for the side last season. He picked up five wickets last season and displayed immense potential to become one of India’s best.
Shivam Mavi
Mavi can partner Nagarkoti from the opposite end. He took like his U-19 teammate is young and has raw pace. Like Nagarkoti, he too has been groomed well by the franchise. He picked up nine wickets last season and will be expected to take a lot more in IPL 2021.
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