The Kolkata Knight Riders wasn’t able to assemble a balanced squad in the mega auction of IPL 2022. They failed to pick many of their first-choice players. The batting department is looking a little bit weak by adding too much all-rounders in their squad. But KKR was able to purchase Shreyas Iyer as their highest purchase in the auction and his addition will strengthen their batting. Shreyas Iyer will lead KKR in this season as he is appointed the new captain of Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders ended as runners-up last year in 2021 but this time it will be more difficult to even qualify for the playoffs due to the addition of two new teams.
Kolkata bought Pat Cummins and Nitish Rana for IND 7.25 and 8 crores respectively into their squad. Kolkata has added Sam Billings and Sheldon Jackson into their squad as two wicketkeeping options. KKR has also bought the experienced Ajinkya Rahane to make the middle-order stronger. Andrew Russell has always been a key player for Kolkata but his fitness will once again remain a big issue for the franchise.
KKR’s Squad
The squad of Kolkata Knight Riders comprises the following players:
Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, Shreyas Iyer, Pat Cummins, Aman Khan, Umesh Yadav, Nitish Rana, Shivam Mavi, Sheldon Jackson, Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Rasikh Dar, Chamika Karunaratne, Ashok Sharma, Pratham Singh, Abhijeet Tomar, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Ramesh Kumar, Mohammad Nabi, Baba Indrajith.
Now let’s take a look at the most possible playing 11 of KKR.
Openers; Venkatesh Iyer and Aaron Finch
Venkatesh Iyer is the first choice opener for Kolkata and he was among the retained players decided by the franchise before the mega auction. Alex Hales was purchased by Kolkata to open the innings alongside Venkatesh Iyer but he has opted out of the IPL 2022 due to bio bubble fatigue. Kolkata has announced Aaron Finch as his replacement and he will possibly open the innings with Venkatesh Iyer at the top. Kolkata Knight Riders also have the likes of Sam Billings and Sunil Narine to open but the franchise will probably go with Venkatesh Iyer and Aaron Finch to open for KKR.
Middle Order; Iyer, Rana and Billings
The captain Shreyas Iyer will bat at the one-down position followed by the left-hander Nitish Rana and wicketkeeper Sam Billings. Shreyas Iyer has good experience of leading an IPL franchise as he led his previous team Delhi Capitals to the final in the 2020 IPL season.
Nitish Rana is a very good middle-order batsman and he has proved it many times in the recent past. If the top-order fails, he can anchor the innings really well even with a good strike rate.
All-rounders; Russell and Narine
Andre Russell has a few fitness issues but if he manages to gain full fitness before the start of IPL then we all know how destructive he is in the death overs. Sunil Narine will be the second all-rounder in the playing XI of KKR. Narine is a very useful player for any side because he can bat at any number and his bowling doesn’t need any introduction because he is one of the best T20 spinners in the world.
Bowlers; Cummins, Mavi, Yadav, and Chakravarthy
Pat Cummins will lead the fast bowling department alongside Umesh Yadav. Cummins is an outstanding fast bowler and his presence will strengthen the bowling of Kolkata. The mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy will be the key for Kolkata in their spin bowling department. Kolkata retained Chakravarthy last year after his brilliant performance in the 2021 edition.
Last Updated on April 8, 2022
Senior Sports Copywriter
