Two-times IPL Champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will step out at Eden Gardens on 24th March to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). After retaining their core team this auction which helped them to reach the playoffs last season they could not gain a significant advantage in the revamping auction of IPL 2018. The team balance looks quite stabilized this season, here is how their probable XI shapes up.

KKR Full Squad for IPL 2018:

The two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought five overseas players and three Indian players during the IPL 2019 Auction. At the end of the auction, KKR has four Indian players shortage to fulfill the squad.

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Retained players: Dinesh Karthik (captain/wicketkeeper), Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier

Purchased in IPL 2019 Auction: Carlos Brathwaite, Lockie Ferguson, Anrich Nortje, Nikhil Naik, Harry Gurney, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Joe Denly, Shrikant Mundhe

Indian contingent:

With Dinesh Karthik as the leader, the major responsibility of scoring runs will now be on Robin Uthappa and Karthik. Their bowling line-up looks stronger with two spinning pillars being Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav. Sandeep Warrier will be the lead Indian fast bowler as he has come as a replacement of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi.

The Most pleasing aspect of KKR this year is definitely the large presence of youngsters. They have Shubhman Gill who starred in Ranji Trophy this season. They also possess Nitish Rana who grabbed the eye-ball last season not only with his batting but also with the bowling.

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Foreign contingent:

Andre Russell and Chris Lynn they have three of the greatest entertainers in the T20 circuit. They will be having Harry Gurney and Lockie Ferguson as surprise packages along with Sunil Narine making an impact in the opening, KKR will be considering doing something big this season.

Probable XI:

1. Sunil Narine $

2. Chris Lynn $

3. Robin Uthappa

4. Nitish Rana

5. Shubman Gill

6. Dinesh Karthik (C-WK)

7. Andre Russell $

8. Harry Gurney/ Lockie Ferguson $

9. Kuldeep Yadav

10. Piyush Chawla

11. Sandeep Warrier

$ – Foreign Players

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Variations:

If KKR decides to add an extra Indian seamer, they have the option to play Prasidh Krishna in place of one of the two spinners. This year they also have a backup for Andre Russell so if misses out they are likely to add Carlos Brathwaite if needed. They also have Joe Denly as a replacement of Chris Lynn if required.