IPL 2018, RR vs KKR: Kolkata Knight Riders’ probable XI for their game in Jaipur
Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a very good start when they chased down 177 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first game at the Eden Gardens.
However, they lost their next two games against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (CSK).
But they were back to winning ways when they triumphed against Delhi Daredevils beating them by 71 runs. They will now face Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur for their second away fixture. Thus, let’s have a look at the predicted playing XI for KKR.
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Despite looking scratchy, Chris Lynn will continue to open the batting. He is too good a player to miss out for long.
He has looked good in phases and has got starts in most of the games. On what is expected to be a good batting pitch, Lynn will look to provide a good and a solid start for KKR.
After not opening in the game against SRH, Sunil Narine was back at the top of the order. He scored just one run but he will most likely continue to open the batting with Lynn.
He’s been hitting the ball well and on his day, he can help KKR get off to a flying start.
Robin Uthappa has had scores of 13, 29, 3 and 35. He’s looked in very good touch but somehow he’s not been able to convert these starts into substantial and match-winning scores.
In four innings, he’s maintained a strike-rate of 145.45 this season. Thus, KKR will be hoping that the Karnataka-born batsman comes good in the coming games.
Like Uthappa, Nitish Rana got starts but threw it away. He had a very good first game where he picked up two massive wickets (Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers) and scored a vital 34.
But in the last game, he scored a superb 59 to take KKR to 200 and also won the Man of the Match award.
He had a similar start last season as well but tapered away towards the end and hence, KKR and Rana both will be hoping he continues his good form.
Dinesh Karthik hasn’t got a big score behind him in this tournament but like other batsmen, he’s got starts as well.
He’s amassed 109 runs in four innings this season. But in his debut season as an IPL captain, he has done well.
Though some of his decisions were questionable, he’s been fairly good in the first four games as far as captaincy is concerned. KKR will want Karthik to finish well along with the other power hitters.
Without a doubt, Andre Russell is a superstar and a box-office player. He struck a magnificent 88 against CSK in the second game and showed what he is capable of.
He once again came to the fore and struck a blistering 41 in 12 balls to provide impetus to KKR’s innings against DD.
At one point, it looked like he would break the fastest IPL fifty record which KL Rahul had set just a few days back.
Hence, Russell will be entrusted with the finishing responsibilities. Russell has also been decent with the ball and has taken the new ball quite often.
Shubman Gill has had a tough start to his IPL career. He’s scored nine runs in two innings. But he has batted out of position, as he has come in at No. 7 in both games.
Thus, it would be very hard on the youngster if KKR would drop him after a couple of failures where he has come to bat in a situation where he had to go after the bowling from the first ball. Hence, Gill will most likely continue in the side.
Tom Curran who replaced Mitchell Johnson in the last game should keep his place in the side despite going for 21 runs in two overs in the last game.
He’s played two games until now and has been expensive but has also taken wickets which is crucial at the death.
In the absence of Starc, Curran will have the added responsibility of bowling at the death.
After being under-utilized in his debut game (where he got just one over), Shivam Mavi had a decent outing.
He took 1/14 in two overs and impressed with his pace. He consistently clocked over 140 kmph and rushed the batsmen for pace. He will most likely continue to be the only Indian pacer in the playing XI.
Piyush Chawla is one of the most experienced bowlers in the KKR squad. He has done well in patches in this tournament.
After being on the expensive side in the first two games, he’s come back well and restricted the run-flow. He has also picked up one wicket in every game. Hence, he will lead KKR’s spin attack.
Kuldeep Yadav has not had the best of IPLs so far. He’s been taken for runs as the batsmen have slowly started to figure him out.
The batsmen are playing his variations well. But despite getting hit, Kuldeep did well to come back and took three wickets in the last game against DD. KKR will hope that he provides control in the middle-overs.
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