IPL 2020 Team Prediction: Possible Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Team in IPL 13

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Updated: January 2, 2020
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IPL 2020: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI in IPL 13

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has had their fair share of travails in the last two seasons. After their inspirational skipper decided to call it quits, the Kolkata-based franchise had a torrid time under the captaincy of Dinesh Karthik. However, in the recently concluded IPL auction in Kolkata, the team managed to sort out the issues in various departments. They forayed into the auctions with a net purse of INR 35.65 crores.

However, after the auctions, they were left with a purse of INR 8.5 crore. They have invested heavily on Pat Cummins and Eoin Morgan to add depth to their squad. Interestingly, these two-time IPL winners have also purchased some lesser-known players to add depth to their squad. After the auctions, KKR now looks like a fairly formidable outfit. However, they need to get their combination right. So, let’s have a look at the best playing XI of the KKR.

Sunil Narine and Rahul Tripathy as Openers of KKR

The cricketing community has already witnessed the potential and explosiveness of Sunil Narine up the order. He adds value to the KKR unit with all his all-round skills. He has got the ability to dispose off any bowling attack beyond the fence with utmost fury. Interestingly, Sunil Narine also holds the record of the second-fastest fifty in the history of IPL. He is also lethal with the ball. After correcting his bowling action, many would argue that he is not formidable like before. However, at any given day, he can still fox the opposition batsmen with clever variations.

On the other hand, Rahul Tripathy is a fairly talented batsman. He is also a decent buy for KKR. Given his skills, it is sure that the team management would give him chances up the order to open with Narine. Since his arrival in the IPL in 2017, he has not looked back. He has played for Pune and Rajasthan and has proved his mettle with brilliance. This time around, he would also like to stay in the same flamboyant touch.

KKR Middle Order has some formidable Names

Shubhman Gill has created quite a sensation since his IPL debut. He is an exciting Indian batsman to watch out for and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects of Indian Cricket in the future. There is no doubt that he will bat at the top order to fetch KKR rich dividends. He can play all type of shots and has the ability to anchor an innings.

On the other hand, Nitish Rana is another middle-order batsman who would like to stay in the same touch as he was in the last two seasons. He can also bowl part-time spin which would add to the already lethal bowling attack of KKR.

Buying the England Captain Morgan can be a game changer for KKR. He is a fantastic middle-order batsman and has the ability to score runs at an explosive rate. He is also a great leader which implies that he would share inputs with Dinesh Karthik. This can well be a game-changing prospect for the team.

The lower order of KKR is more formidable than any other teams in the IPL

Yes, you have heard that right! The lower order of KKR comprises of some big names. But, let’s focus on Dinesh Karthik first. There is no question of his talent and ability to strike when it comes to T20 cricket. Well, who can forget the finals of the Nidhahas Trophy where Karthik alone blasted the Bangladeshis out of the park? It was a memorable day in the realms of Indian Cricket. But to be truthful, in the IPL, his captaincy and batting has been quite average. But 2020 is a season where Karthik would be looking forward to make some serious amends.

Well, Andre Russell is a man who hardly needs any introduction. In 2019, it was Russell who single-handedly won KKR most of their matches. In one of the matches against RCB, Russell scored 52 runs in the last 13 balls which made KKR achieve an otherwise impossible victory. He is known as one of the fiercest strikers of the ball in IPL. His batting stance has a fearful predisposition which unsettles the nerves of opposition bowlers. He can bowl too and is good in the fielding department as well.

The Bowling Department of KKR

Pat Cummins made history this year by becoming the second most expensive player in the history of the IPL. Pat Cummins would add variety to the squad and is expected to play the lead role with the ball. KKR also has the services of Ferguson, Mavi, Narine, Yadav and Krishna. All these bowlers can destroy the opposition batting attack on any given day. So, it looks quite evident that KKR are the clear favorites to claim the trophy. But they need to get their combination right!

Predicted Playing XI of KKR in IPL 2020

Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik (C&WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Mavi, and Prasidh Krishna.