It is that time of the year when spring is on its way out and the summer is just setting in to take full toll and you know the Indian cricketing mela is nearing. This is going to be the tenth season of this big money-spinning league. We are going to study the team from the sporting capital of India, from the east Kolkata Knight Riders would be eyeing third title. This is the team that adds glamour to the league like no other, thanks to the badshah of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan.
This year the auctions were fascinating with the rates of players scorching up like never before. Players like Tymal Mills, Ben Stokes, Kagiso Rabada and the rest have got whopping contracts. Even a few Afghanistani players like slated to make their debut this time. This in many ways is going to be a historic Indian Premier League.
Now, let us look at the KKR composition and balance.
By the looks of it KKR are settled at the top, thanks to the two Indian openers, Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. Apart from that they may play Manish Pandey first down or shuffle him playing big hitting Yusuf Pathan at 3 or young Ishank Jaggi. Apart from that they look settled when it comes to the middle order. Foriegn stars like Shakib al Hasan would be there with English all rounder Chris Woakes. After that they will have the services of world class bowlers like Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult. If they are playing on a seaming wicket they may opt for a Nathan Courter Nile who can really hit the ball a distance.
Ready to conquer. #KnightsOf2017 @IPL pic.twitter.com/id2qV8rl29
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 20, 2017
Andre Russell’s absence
It is easier said than done, but without the all round services of Russell KKR will wear a bleaker look for certain. Ankeet Rajpoot may get a game or two but will not be a permanent fixture in the squad.
Game plan:
Gautam Gambhir ahs to use his spinners wisely as they will play a lot of matches at the spinning friendly Eden Garden wicket. He will also have Piyush Chawla as another spinning option, Pathan can also bowl a couple of overs as a part timer.
Knight Riders, here are your 14 days of priority for this VIVO @IPL! pic.twitter.com/DTm4UGMzeM
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 16, 2017
Facts:
KKR has qualified for the play-offs four times.
Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa are 31 runs shy of becoming the best opening pair in IPL history.
Yusuf Pathan has a batting average of 125.50 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Full squad: Trent Boult (5 Cr), Chris Woakes (4.20 Cr), Rishi Dhawan (55 Lakh), Nathan Coulter-Nile (3.5 Cr), Rovman Powell (30 Lakh), R Sanjay Yadav (10 Lakh), Ishank Jaggi (10 Lakh), Darren Bravo (50 Lakh), Sayan Ghosh (10 Lakh), Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Robin Uthappa, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Lynn, Umesh Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson, Ankit Singh Rajput
Squad strength: 23 (14 Indian, 9 Overseas)
Spent-Unspent Purse (In INR): 14.35 Crore – 5.40 Crore
