IPL 2021: Kolkta knigt Riders Best Projected Playing XI (KKR)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (along with Sunrisers Hyderabad) had the lowest budget of 10.75 crores during the IPL 2021 auction, but the franchisee made wise decisions to add eight players to their squad with the money. KKR’s top two buys in the IPL 2021 auction were Shakib-al-Hasan (Rs. 3.2 crores) and Harbhajan Singh (Rs. 2 crores).
In the IPL, the Kolkata Knight Riders have been a formidable foe. In 2012 and 2014, the franchisee owned by Shahrukh Khan won the award. Kolkata Knight Riders tied Royal Challengers Bangalore for 14 points in the IPL 2020 points table last year, but were unable to qualify for the playoffs due to a low net run rate. With the inclusion of these new members, the team will look to put on a better display in the IPL 2021. We take a look at Kolkata Knight Riders’ best-predicted XI for the first match of the IPL 2021 season.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was the top run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2020. In 14 matches, he scored 440 runs at a strike rate of 117+. Since the beginning of the year, he has progressed as an opener. He’ll be the ideal hitter to start the game.
Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana has emerged as a powerful batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders, with the ability to hit long shots. He scored 352 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2020, with a strike rate of 138+. In the tournament, he also hit three fiftys. As an opener, he’ll be a great help to Shubman Gill.
Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi would do well in the third slot, which he held in the previous version. In IPL 2020, he scored 230 runs in 11 innings, including a fifty. At the one-down spot, he’ll be a good choice.
Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh would be a strong choice among the domestic batsmen, considering the team’s abundance of top-class overseas players. He’s been with the team for a while and is a good batsman choice for KKR. In the first game, KKR should give him a chance.
Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan is the most eligible candidate to lead the team. He took over as captain from Dinesh Karthik in the middle of the previous season and guided the team to a better finish in the tournament. Due to a lower net-run pace than Royal Challengers Bangalore, KKR just missed out on the playoffs. At the moment, the England cricketer is the best choice as KKR’s skipper.
Dinesh Karthik
Behind the wicket, Dinesh Karthik would be a good choice. In the lower-middle order, he has a lot of promise. His quick-hitting abilities would be helpful to KKR. He also has a lot of wicket-keeping experience.
Shakib-al-Hasan
Shakib-al-Hasan has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL 2021 season, and he is a great all-rounder to watch. His presence would favour both the batting and bowling departments. In the Bangladesh Premier League 2019-20, he was outstanding, and he will be an excellent choice for the first match of the IPL 2021.
Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine is the most likely candidate to lead the spin attack. Sunil Narine will try his tactics to overpower the opposition while bowling now that Shakib-al-Hasan has been added as a secondary bowler. Sunil Narine is an important bowler for KKR because he can get breakthroughs during the game.
Pat Cummins
In the first game, Pat Cummins will be the best bowler to get the Kolkata Knight Riders’ pace attack off to a good start. In recent years, he has emerged as a dominant bowler. He should be in the starting lineup, allowing KKR to create problems for the opposition batsmen.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti
KKR has Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who is a good fast bowler. Since KKR lacks a major domestic pace bowler, Kamlesh Nagarkoti should be given the nod.
Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna took four wickets in four matches in the previous edition. As previously mentioned, KKR does not have many bowling choices in the team and will have to make do with what they have. Prasidh Krishna has played in many IPL tournaments for Kolkata Knight Riders. As a result, getting Krishna into the starting lineup would be a wise move.