As the cricketing carnival of IPL 2024 kicks off on 22nd Of March, all eyes are on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), The two times champion didn’t do well in the previous couple of season. A team known for its strategic prowess and star-studded lineup. With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, KKR enters the tournament with a renewed sense of determination and ambition. In this comprehensive analysis, we delve into the team’s strengths, weaknesses, key players, and strategies that could define their journey in the upcoming IPL season.
Table of Contents
Strength Of KKR :
The camaraderie within the KKR camp is palpable, reflecting a strong sense of unity and purpose. Players support and motivate each other, fostering a conducive environment for growth and success. This team spirit transcends individual performances, as every member of the squad is valued for their contribution towards the collective goal of victory. There is several key factors in the KKR camp which makes them strong.
Mentor – Gautam Gambhir :
We will see GG again on a purple-golden jersey, but this time he will play from dug out. KKR appointed him as a team mentor. If we look into the golden periods of KKR we can see the artist behind that periods is Gautam Gambhir. He makes them two times champion, in 2012 & 2014. He is a real cricketing genius and he is so professional with his job. After mentoring LSG now he will use his brain for Kolkata. His passionate for Kolkata and the co. will make a differ. Already we show his brilliance in the auction table. Now will see in the match from 23rd of March against SRH.
Mitchell Starc :
Mitchell Starc, a gem of a cricketer. GG gone all out in the auction table for Starc. Kolkata bought his with 24.75 cr. Which is the highest bid for any cricketer since the start of IPL in 2008. Mitchell Starc was not playing IPL to focus on his International career. But this time He will play for Kolkata and lead the bowling attack. Kolkata is highly dependable towards him as he has a great knowledge in this format. If the left arm seamer could take early wicket for his team definitely it will help Kolkata a lot.
Starc has played 27 matches in IPL and took 34 wickets with an average of 20.38 and economy of 7.17 & in International he has played 60 matches and taken 74 wickets with an average of 23.34 and economy of 7.68.
Andre Russel :
Andre Russel is the heart of Kolkata Knight Riders. Win ratio of Kolkata depends on this Jamaican allrounder. He was not in a good touch from the past couple of season. But in 2024 he is in a beast mode, he is showing his muscle through out the worlds.
In the ILT20 he scored 192 runs with a strike rate of 228.48 and also holding the average of 96.00 and also he took 6 wickets with the ball.
In the BPL he has scored 109 in 5 innings with a strike rate of 205.66 and averaging 54.50 and also got 5 wickets.
He was also playing for his country against Australia, where he scored 109 with a strike rate of 231.91 and took 3 wickets in three matches.
So we will see him again winning match for Kolkata single handedly.
Shreyas Iyer :
Shreyas Iyer is the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders. He has missed the previous season due to his injury, This time he is fit for playing IPL. He is one of the best dominating batsmen against spin and he will strengthen the middle order. Also his captaincy with the help of GG will help Kolkata to win matches.
He has played 101 matches in IPL and scored 2776 with an average of 31.55 and strike rate of 31.55 and Internationally he has played 47 innings in this format and scored 1104 runs with a strike rate of 136.13
His presence in the team is a big positive for Kolkata this time.
Best Spin Trio :
Kolkata has the best spin attack in the IPL. In the tent of Kolkata there are Sunil Narine, Mujeeb Ur Rahaman, Varun Chakaravarthy, Suyash Sharma and Anukul Roy. If Kolkata gets a tricky pitch at Eden Garden they will make the best with their spin weapons. Those quality spinner will keep them in the game.
Narine has played 162 matches in IPL and got 163 wickets with an average of 25.79 and economy of 6.73. This numbers are really huge. And could make the blow to opposition.
Suyash Sharma has a very short IPL career but he has impressed everyone with his spin mystery. In 11 matches he has taken 10 wickets with an average of 32.1.
Varun Chakaravarthy is another good spinner of Kolkata who has played 56 matches and got 62 wickets with an average of 25.81 and economy of 7.45, he is famous for his mystery spin. If he is in a form he could give break through.
Mujeeb Ur Rahaman, the Afghan spinner has played 19 games in IPL and took 19 wickets with an average of 31.16 and economy of 8.18 . He will play as a back up spinner. He can make a difference with his quality spin.
Weakness :
Gautam Gambhir has tried to cover up all the loop holes in the team but there is still some impactable weakness in the hut. Let’s see the weaknesses –
Inexperienced Indian Pace Attack :
Kolkata may suffer for their inexperience Indian pace attack. There is not a single Indian pace bowler who is holding International experience. And also they are very young. So in the pressure situation they can crumble easily. The pace attack will be highly dependable on Starc. Vaibhav Arora, Chetan Sakariya, Harshit Rana no one has a great exposure.
Loop Holes In KKR Team Combination :
Team combination is another headache for KKR. As they don’t have any quality Indian Wicket Keeper. They has Srikar Bharat and Rahamanullah Gurbaz as their keeper options. If they go with Gurbaz they have to miss Jason Roy , who is a very good opener and currently he is playing very good cricket around the world. And if they go with Jason Roy as opener they will have to select Srikar Bharat, who is not a great batsmen in this format.
Squads Of KKR :
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Manish Pandey
- Srikar Bharat
- Ramandeep Singh
- Nitish Rana
- Jason Roy
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Rinku Singh
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Sunil Narine
- Anukul Roy
- Andre Russel
- Harshit Rana
- Dusmantha Chameera
- Vaibhav Arora
- Mujeeb Ur Rahaman
- Chetan Sakariya
- Mitchell Starc
- Suyash Sharma
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Sakib Hussain
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Schedule Of KKR :
In the first phase of IPL KKR will play just three games. Schedule-
- KKR vs SRH – Mar 23 – 7:30 PM ( KOLKATA )
- KKR vs RCB – Mar 29 – 7:30 PM ( BENGALURU )
- KKR vs DC – Apr 03 – 7 :30 PM ( VIZAG )
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Follow KKR on – https://www.kkr.in