IPL 2022: Match 1 – Strongest Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI against Chennai Super Kings

Bowlers – Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

Tim Southee is one of the underrated T20 performers going around and he can have a big impact with the new ball as well as in the death overs. The New Zealand seamer has played IPL games in the past and can be expensive at times. However, until Cummins arrives, Southee is expected to get a go and the latter has enough experience to make use of his opportunities.

Umesh Yadav has been playing IPL for a long time and he was part of the title-winning campaign for the KKR franchise in 2014. The 34-year-old seamer can be very effective with the new ball with his ability to bowl outswingers and with not much experience among the Indian seamers in the squad, Umesh is likely to take the field against the Chennai Super Kings.

Varun Chakravarthy will be a huge asset to the side if he is fit and ready as he had two really good seasons continuously. The mystery spinner has the ability to keep bowling in tough areas consistently and hardly gives any freebies to put away. He had a fantastic economy rate of just under 7 in the previous season despite bowling the tough overs and KKR will be hoping that he stays fit throughout the season which could be the only barrier for him.

KKR’s Predicted XI for CSK clash: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy