IPL 2022 will commence from 26th March 2022 with a clash between CSK and KKR. Kolkata Knight Riders can build their strongest possible playing XI under Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2022.
Kolkata Knight Riders made some bold decisions before entering into IPL Mega auction 2022, where they decided not to retain their captain and ex-captain Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik. KKR retained Andre Russel (12crores), Sunil Narine (6crores), Varun Chakravarthy(8crores), and Venkatesh Iyer(8crores) and were left with a total of 48 crores for the auction.
KKR was quite obstinate about their choice for players and werecolors all in for their former teammates including Pat Cummins, Nitish Rana and Shivam Mavi.
A look at all the players bought by Kolkata Knight Riders from IPL auction 2022.
Here are the Knights who will don the @KKRiders colours in the #TATAIPL 2022 👍 pic.twitter.com/oeOKpxPhEt
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 14, 2022
Here’s Our Curated Strongest Possible Playing XI of KKR-
1) Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane could be their first choice opener in their playing XI along with Venkatesh Iyer. A steady batter with an explosive partner. A balanced opening combination for a powerful start in the powerplay overs. Ajinkya Rahane IPL account reads as 3941 runs in 141 innings with an average above 30.
2) Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer was the find of the tournament for KKR as well as the Indian National team. The all-rounder stepped onto the field in the second stage of league post covid when KKR was struggling in the bottom two. With his explosive and consistent performance, he made sure Kolkata crashes into the play-offs and then in finals. An average above 41 in merely 10 matches is a commendable job for a player who was playing his first IPL season.
3) Shreyas Iyer
The newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer will don the jersey of Knights. Will he be able to script the history for the two times IPL champions once again? Shreyas Iyer was magnificent captain for Delhi Capitals before being sacked due to his injury. He led Delhi Capitals to play-offs consecutively for 2 years. Shreyas Iyer can play the anchoring role to glue the power-packed hitters of the squad.
4) Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana had a decent run in the last season of IPL where he accumulated 383 runs for the team at an average close of 30. KKR couldn’t let him go out of their hands and thus picked him up in the auction for a whopping sum of 8 crores. Nitish Rana will probably fit at the number 4 batting position in the playing XI of KKR.
5) Sam Billings (WK)
Sam Billings is the only possible renowned powerful wicketkeeper-batsmen in the KKR camp. Kolkata had to disburse 2 crores for the English player who has played 22 IPL games so far and scored around 330 runs.
6) Andre Russel
Russel-muscle was the 1st choice of KKR among their retained players. Russel cannot be out of their possible playing XI until an injury forces him out. The Caribbean has shown his muscle power on a plethora of occasions in the past for the team and has been effective as a death bowler too.
7) Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine has been associated with the KKR team for a long period. The mystery spinner still bombshells the batsmen with his quick turning delivery. A strike of over 160 and an economy below 7 is a cherry on the cake for the team. Sunil Narine could bat down the order in their playing XI to provide his valuable shot-hitting capabilities.
8) Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins is back in KKR camp for another term with a 7.25 crores contract this time. Pat Cummins is an asset for the team with the ball as well as the bat. He proved his batting skills on multiple occasions in the last season whenever there was a collapse in the team. A 140 strike rate in batting depicts his abilities and currently, he is the no.1 test bowler also.
9) Shivam Mavi
It’s the homecoming for Shivam Mavi, who was picked by KKR for 7.25 cores in IPL auction 2022. The young right-arm fast bowler gave a steady performance last year with the ball. He scalped 11 wickets in 9 IPL matches.
10) Umesh Yadav
A side that looks young on paper and lacks the guidance of an experienced bowler could utilize the services of Umesh Yadav in their playing XI for IPL 2022. KKR shelled out 2 crores for Umesh Yadav and does we expect him to be a part of starting XI.
11) Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy was retained by the team for his spectacular bowling performance last season, where he picked 17 wickets in 16 IPL games at an economy rate close to 6.5. The mystery spinner also got a maiden call from the Indian National team for his performance. Undoubtedly, he would be a part of KKR’s playing XI.
However, we believe Sam Billings can be replaced with Sheldon Jackson to strengthen the overseas bowling option to replace Umesh Yadav with Tim Southee.
Also Read: Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing 11 for IPL 2022
