IPL 2016: Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

Kolkata Knight Riders will kick-start this season with an aim to add third silverware in their trophy cabinet after having won the prestigious league in 2012 and 2014. Just like most of the IPL franchise, KKR also kept their core intact and did not try to make any drastic change. They bought only five players in the auction. They have a well-balanced squad with a settled batting line-up, wonderful all-rounders, and strong spin bowling attack. It would be interesting to see how they perform this season under the new coach Jacques Kallis, who has taken over the position from Trevor Bayliss. 1. Robin Uthappa (WK): Robin Uthappa KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Robin Uthappa has been the batting mainstay for the Kolkata franchise. His batting average of 39.80 is easily the best for KKR. With 1136 runs from 34 matches for KKR, Uthappa is the franchise’s fourth highest run-getter after Captain Gautam Gambhir, Jacques Kallis and Yusuf Pathan. The 30-year-old wicket-keeper batsman from Karnataka was a key contributor for KKR in their previous two title wins. Though IPL 2015 was a silent affair for him but his 205 runs in 5 games at an average of 41 with a strike rate of 139.34 for Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy surely indicate good signs for the team. 2. Gautam Gambhir (C): Gautam Gambhir KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Gautam Gambhir has been the ‘Captain Charismatic’ for KKR. Gambhir has impressed everyone with his leadership skills while amassing runs at a healthy average. His presence in the team has changed the fortunes of the team. KKR never had much to worry about the opening slot in the team, a position where the left-hander has amassed 2036 runs in 77 matches. The hardcore Kolkata fans will expect a strong show from their skipper this year, especially after missing out narrowly on a playoff spot last season. 3. Manish Pandey: Manish Pandey KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Manish Pandey has also been a consistent run scorer for KKR and has shouldered the batting responsibility in the team wonderfully. It would be senseless to question his ability and talent. Pandey is a true match-winner who can win matches single-handedly. Last season was a dull one for him where he made only 225 runs in 13 matches. But, it is highly anticipated that Pandey will churn out a huge amount of runs this season. 4. Yusuf Pathan: The explosive all-rounder – Yusuf Pathan (© Getty Images) Yusuf Pathan has been lukewarm in the past domestic season and couldn’t do anything significant with the bat, scoring just 120 in the last 10 domestic T20Is. But, that doesn’t mean his importance will come down. IPL is a different platform altogether. Pathan was at his best last season where he scored 312 runs in 13 games at an average of 44.57 striking at the rate of 135.06. The hard-hitting all-rounder has been a consistent contributor for KKR and will hope to put on a great entertaining show while helping his team dominate. 5. Surya Kumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI) Surya Kumar Yadav will enter IPL 9 with a strong determination to score runs heavily. Lately, he has been quite inconsistent. He was prolific in the longest format for Mumbai last season but could not perform in the limited overs format. In the 2015 IPL season where he scored 157 runs in 13 matches was also unproductive. However, his unorthodox batting style and ability to play quickfire cameos makes him a great asset for the team. 6. Andre Russell: Andre Russell KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Andre Russell is on a roll this year. The West Indian all-rounder has been a top contributor for three champion teams in 2016. He began the year with a title win playing for Sydney Thunders and topped it up with another title win with Islamabad United. And, just about a week ago, Russell celebrated the World T20 triumph with his team at the Eden Gardens. He is an overall package – a hard hitter, superb bowler and athletic fielding. Speaking about his IPL form, Russell had a great time with bat and ball, scoring 326 runs and taking 14 wickets in 13 matches. 7. Shakib al Hasan: Shakib Al Hasan KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) Bangladesh’s most prolific all-rounder also enjoys the same status and reputation in the KKR outfit. Shakib fills the no.7 spot in the team and a habitual wicket taker. Last year he did not get many games to play and was included in the playing XI for just 4 matches in the spin-heavy side but hopefully he will feature more regularly this season. He is in decent form and performed pretty well for Bangladesh in the World T20, scoring 129 runs and taking 10 wickets in 7 matches. 8. Brad Hogg: Brad Hogg KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) The age-less cricketer, Brad Hogg, performs in every T20 league around the world irrespective of the conditions. In 2015, he played in a handful of 6 games but still snapped 9 wickets. While away from IPL, Hogg played for Leo Lions in the MCL and Perth Scorchers in the BBL and was successful in both the tournaments. 9. Piyush Chawla: Piyush Chawla. (Photo Source: BCCI) Piyush Chawla has been a regular part of the KKR team. He enters this season after having a great time with the ball in the 2015 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy playing for Uttar Pradesh. The leg-spinner took 15 wickets in just 9 matches at an average of 13.86 with a miserly economy rate of 5.94. He is also a very capable batsman who can smack big hit to the fence if the situation demands. 10. Umesh Yadav: Umesh Yadav KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) This IPL season would be a golden chance for the Vidarbha fast bowler to regain his form. The fast bowler has gone through a rough patch in his career and will aim to bring some turnaround by putting some inspiring show this season. Yadav has been KKR’s first-choice fast bowler and opened the bowling attack on regularly. Last season, Yadav played 12 matches and picked 10 wickets. This season, he will surely aim for a more brighter performance. 11. Morne Morkel: Morne Morkel (Photo Source:BCCI) Morne Morkel is the fast bowling spearhead of the side. Standing at close to 2 metres, he can trouble any batsman with his pace and bounce. Morkel, who is into his third season with the franchise, was a part of the 2014 victorious team. In 2014, (his first season for KKR), Morkel took 12 wickets in 12 matches. The following season was even more productive where he took 10 wickets in 7 games. Morkel’s opening spells for KKR have been very vital in the team’s success and KKR fans would surely hope him to fire this season as well.

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IPL 2016: Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

11. Morne Morkel:

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