The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be having a lot of expectations from its players during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. The team’s decision to appoint Dinesh Karthik to lead the team looked pat when they qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2018, but in last year’s edition, KKR finished a disappointing 5th, despite having world-class all-rounders like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. 

Narine left every IPL franchise surprised when he donned the opener’s role and although he won’t have Chris Lynn beside him this year, he is still a force to be reckoned with. He was in a phenomenal form with both bat and ball in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He can be expected to open the innings with Rahul Tripathi, who is best suited to the opening role that he performed in recent times.

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Shubman Gill will have a lot of responsibilities as he will be playing a crucial role at No. 3 for KKR, and will be entrusted with the task of anchoring the innings. He has been on the fringes of Team India in recent times, and this IPL can be his chance for becoming a regular contender. Nitish Rana is expected to come in at No. 4 for KKR in IPL 2020 as he has the adaptability to access the situations which will hold KKR in good stead in IPL 2020. 

England limited-overs skipper, Eoin Morgan hasn’t had a great IPL career so far, but he will be one of KKR’s most important players this year. The left-hander’s experience and ability to take on the spinners will take a lot of the pressure off Karthik, and his excellent form in the limited-overs formats is another encouraging sign. He will also be eyeing India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, and he will also be donning the keeping gloves for the team in IPL 2020.

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2-time MVP award winner Andre Russell will be KKR’s main all-rounder in IPL 2020. But KKR’s lack of depth in the middle order, couple with where his strengths lie, make him perfect for the No. 7 role. It is a bit of a stretch to call Pat Cummins a proper all-rounder, but KKR CEO Venky Mysore recently hailed the Australian’s prowess with the bat. 

Young Indian pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti has been receiving praises from experts and former cricketers but hasn’t gotten a chance to show off his wares owing to injuries. His express pace, incredible fielding, and handiness with the bat will probably get him a slot ahead of Shivam Mavi and Sandeep Warrier. Kuldeep Yadav had a horrific IPL 2019, and he will be keen on turning things around as with only 2 full-time spinners in the XI, the left-arm wrist-spinner will need to be at his best.

Young Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna takes up the final spot in KKR’s playing XI for IPL 2020. It is a toss-up between him and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy as the latter could finally set his indifferent record straight in IPL 2020.

KKR’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2020:

Sunil Narine, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna