IPL: Number of matches played by Kolkata Knight Riders players for Team India

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has arguably been the most popular T20 league in the world. The exposure that the IPL provides to the young talent is immense. Hence, it is never wrong to quote that the tournament has become the breeding ground for the young cricketers in India. On most occasions, the youngsters who perform well in the tournament present a good case for themselves to be selected in the national side.

This has been the trend over the years, and IPL has become a stepping stone for the youngsters to make it big at the biggest stage. With such power of the league, it is obvious that the players of the most consistent sides have the best chance of making to the top cream.

Two-time IPL champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders, have been one such formidable outfit. It is worth noting that the KKR camp has produced some of the best modern day players who are currently plying their trade for the Indian team.

Here we look at the number of matches played by the Kolkata Knight Riders players for Team India since the inception of IPL:

Coming to the numbers, the year of 2017 saw as many as 20 matches played by the Indian team that featured the players from the KKR camp. This was their best bet in the previous six editions. Earlier in the year 2016, 13 matches were played by the national side with the KKR players.

The number had a dip in the year that preceded with the count being only 6. Prior to that, in the year 2014, when the Kolkata Knight Riders had won the tournament, 14 matches were played by the KKR players wearing the Indian jersey.

KKR players who made most of their opportunity

Now, commenting on the players who made the biggest gains from Kolkata Knight Riders camp over the years, the name of Kuldeep Yadav rises to the top. Kuldeep has been an integral part of the KKR setup over the last few seasons. And currently, he is a regular face in the Indian limited overs side.

Also, batsman Manish Pandey, rose to prominence with his good show for the KKR. Pandey was the Man of the Match in the finals of the IPL 2014 which KKR won. However, the team has parted ways with him now. Among the other cricketers from the KKR camp who have played at the highest level is pacer Umesh Yadav. Umesh will be playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore this year.

KKR players to lookout for this year

This year, the Kolkata Knight Riders camp boasts of several young guns who are top contenders to play for the Indian team. Young batsman Shubman Gill is the most prominent one. He has been in sublime form and was the leading run getter at the U19 World Cup this year.

His U19 teammate, Kamlesh Nagarkoti is another exciting prospect in the KKR team. Given the fact that Nagarkoti can clock speeds of 145kmph at consistent basis, one can assume he has the potential to play for the Indian team.

Also, Nitish Rana, who was previously associated with the Mumbai Indians, is in the KKR camp this season. Rana has been on the fringes of an international debut for quite some time and could surely make the cut in the future.

Table: Matches played by KKR players for the Indian team (year-wise)

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.