IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders strongest predicted playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the most dominant teams in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. The Shreyas Iyer-led side played an aggressive brand of cricket so far and that has worked heavily in their favour, as they currently sit second on the points table. Even though the side lost their last match to Chennai Super Kings, there’s a sense of optimism that the Men in Purple and Gold can bounce back against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens on April 14.

KKR struggled with the openers in the last couple of years but with Gautam Gambhir coming back to the side as a mentor, the former cricketer promoted Sunil Narine to the top of the order, which has been an incredible move for the side. Players like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, and Vaibhav Arora among others have shown their class so far, which is the reason KKR is one of the sides to beat this season. Especially at Eden, where the surface will massively support their aggressive batting.

Click Here: KKR vs LSG Live Score, Match 28

Here's the probable playing XI for KKR against LSG in IPL 2024, Match 28 - 

Openers - Sunil Narine, Phil Salt (wk)

The unlikely duo of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt have wreaked havoc so far. One can even argue that this is currently the best pair in IPL 2024. Replacing Jason Roy ahead of the tournament, there were doubts if Phil Salt could succeed in KKR colours, especially when the England international doesn’t have a good record in IPL. However, the 27-year-old had a decent stint so far, but there remains room for improvement.

With Narine going hammers and tongs from ball one, Salt is taking his time, which is against his nature. Even though he started well in the campaign, with a half-century against SRH but runs have dried up in recent times. The same cannot be said for Narine, who seems to be in the form of his life with the bat. The veteran all-rounder smashed 161 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 189.41, which is phenomenal to say the least.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

Middle order - Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh

Despite being just 18 years old, and without much T20 game time, KKR backed Angkrish Raghuvanshi has delivered well for them so far. He is giving stability after an early wicket, which is often important in the shortest format of the game. However, the youngster never compromised on his strike rate by doing so. Raghuvanshi has a strike rate of 173.33 this season, which shows the talent he possesses.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer had a mixed season so far in the tournament. He has made 91 runs so far in four matches, which is not ideal, especially when the batters around have been magnificent. The skipper has to step up his game and needs to lead by example, especially when the team lost their last match. 

Venkatesh Iyer, on the other hand, has blown hot and cold this summer. Just like how Kolkata’s weather has been. He has hit a half-century against RCB earlier in the season but has made only 65 runs in four matches. He bowled just one over so far in the tournament and leaked 28 runs, which is extremely concerning. Overall, he will have to improve a lot, especially with the likes of Manish Pandey, and Nitish Rana available for selection.

Rinku hasn’t been at his best this season. It’s true that the Aligarh-born cricketer didn’t get a lot of opportunities but even so, there’s room for him to get better. Against DC, he played a brilliant cameo of 26 runs off eight balls, but his goal should have been to stick till the end but that didn’t happen. However, there isn’t a lot of concern at the moment, since Rinku knows how to turn things around.

Also Check: : Kolkata vs Lucknow, Match 28- MPL Opinio Prediction

All-rounders - Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell

KKR haven't tried Ramandeep with the ball so far and with the bat, the 27-year-old started well but hasn’t been the same since the opening game against SRH. He is generally a very good fielder but that too didn’t work out well in the last couple of matches as he has dropped important catches. However, KKR are likely to back him as the Chandigarh-born cricketer has firepower in his arsenal, which can be key.

Be it with the bat or with the ball, Andre Russell has been a match-winner for KKR in the ongoing season. The West Indies international has smashed 115 runs in four matches so far at a strike rate of 212.96, which is the most by any cricketer who has scored at least 60 runs this season. The legendary all-rounder has also picked five wickets this season and is showing signs of Prime Russell, who can bring the glory days back.

Bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy

Australia international Mitchell Starc was bought in by KKR for INR 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the IPL. However, Starc is yet to deliver as the veteran pacer has picked up two wickets in four matches and has leaked a lot of runs. The surface at Eden would not support him much against LSG but given his experience, there’s hope that he would bounce back soon.

Vaibhav Arora wasn’t the first-choice pacer for KKR as Harshit Rana was ahead in the race. However, the 26-year-old picked up five wickets in the last two matches, making him the ideal candidate at the moment. He has been incredible with the new ball, which is a massive positive for the side.

Varun Chakravarthy has picked up four wickets in same number of matches so far. He has blown hot and cold as well and given the nature of the pitch at Eden, the spinner can have a rough day against LSG. However, KKR is likely to back him in order to dominate the middle overs.

Click Here: KKR vs LSG Live Score, Match 28

IPL 2024 - KKR's Probable Playing XI against LSG:

Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy

Impact Substitute - Anukul Roy / Harshit Rana