KKR Team Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) will be playing their 13th consecutive Indian Premier League(IPL) season in 2020. The two time champions of 2012 and 2014 would surely like to have their hands on trophy this season.
After the departure of Jacques Kallis, this team is coached by former player Brendon McCullum. Owned by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, this team has a massive fan following and is always expected to do well.
KKR Team Preview: Players
Patt Cummings joins Kolkata team as highest paid overseas player. He was bought for massive 15 croes INR. Apart from him, 13 players have been retained and 10 players have been released. Apart from him, Eoin Morgan joins team for 5.25 croes.
KKR Team Preview: Other Notable additions:
- Pravin Tambe, 48 year old leg-spinner was bought for 20 Lakhs INR.
- Ali Khan, replaces Haary Gurney. Hence becoming first American to join IPL
KKR Team Preview: Full Squad:
| Players | Country |
| Andre Russell | West Indies |
| Dinesh Karthik (C) | India |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India |
| Nitish Rana | India |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | India |
| Shivam Mavi | India |
| Rinku Singh | India |
| Shubman Gill | India |
| Prasidh Krishna | India |
| Sandeep Warrier | India |
| Siddhesh Lad | India |
| Eoin Morgan | England |
| Sunil Narine | West Indies |
| Pravin Tambe | India |
| Rahul Tripathi | India |
| Ali Khan | USA |
| Pat Cummings | Australia |
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand |
| Varun Chakravarthy | India |
| Chris Green | Australia |
| Nikhil Naik | India |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India |
| Tom Banton | England |
KKR Team Preview: Coaches
- Head Coach: Brendon McCullum
- Assistant Coach: Abhishek Nayar
- Mentor: David Hussey
- Assistant bowling Coach: Omkar Salvi
- Fast bowling coach: Kyle MIlls
- Fielding coach: James Foster
Other updates:
- Pravin Tambe would not be eligible to play IPL. Hence, he will not participate in this year’s IPL. BCCI confirmed that due to his participation in T10 League, he is not eligible to play as an Indian player.
- Australian player Chris Green was banned due to his suspicious actions in January 2020. Whether he would be eligible to participate in IPL or not would depend upon decision by IPL governing body.
KKR Team Preview: Analysis
The main strength of the KKR team lies on its All-rounders. Sunil Narine and Andre Russell particularly would be very crucial in their title defence this year. Returning from Caribbean Premier League, they would be in the top of their games without a doubt.
Bowling Preview:
Pace bowling department looks pretty good as well. Big money purchase Pat Cummings would be crucial for the team. Along with him, Kiwi player Lockie Ferguson, as well as Ali Khan, have further strengthened pace bowling arsenal.
Indian pace bowling department is well equipped for them. 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup stars for the Indian team, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti are lined up for the Kolkata team. Along with the team, Prasidh Krishna who has been performing well for Knight Riders team would have some experience under his belt to perform well this season too.
Spin bowling has always been the biggest strength for the Kolkata team. This season, however, the spin bowling department looks to have a very limited backup. Although Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav are undoubtedly the two biggest influencers for KKR this season. But apart from them, the spin department lacks experience.
Batting Preview:
Undoubtedly, Sunil Narine would be opening for the KKR team. Given this, they would like to capitalize as much as on two Caribbean counterparts viz. Russell and Narine. Although Robin Uthappa is not available for the KKR team, they would hope to find the combination with both youth and experience. Captain Dinesh Kartik would definitely be the mainstay in the middle order.
Youngster Shubman Gill would get ample opportunities to prove his worth for the team. Apart from them, Eoin Morgan is added to the squad to add strengthen team’s foreign batting backup. Indian Batsman Rinku Singh, Rahul Tripathi would also be crucial in the team’s success. Biggest of all Indian strength would be Nitish Rana. He would deliver both with his batting and bowling.
KKR Team Preview: Schedule
Access full schedule of Indian Premier League(IPL 2020) : Click here
Access team schedule of Kolkata Knight Riders: Click here