5 Players who can open the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders surprised quite a few people with their performance last season. The team, which had a lot of young Indian players, did really well to reach the playoffs. Young guns like Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana were excellent with the bat and provided solidity to KKR's middle order. Also, the openers, Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine, provided some breathtaking starts to the team throughout the tournament.

IPL 2019 is going to be more challenging for KKR because of the injuries to it's fast bowlers. The former India U19 duo of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti has been ruled out of the tournament. To make matters worse, South Africa's latest speed sensation Anrich Nortje won't be able to participate in IPL 2019.

With all these injuries, KKR's pace department is looking extremely fragile and inexperienced. To compensate for it's weak bowling attack, KKR's batting will have to do something exceptional.

And they do possess the talent to do so. Dinesh Karthik and Robin Uthappa will have their work cut out this year. Also, a lot will depend on the openers to provide a strong start to the team. We will look at 5 players who can be given the responsibility of opening the innings in IPL 2019.

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#5 Shubman Gill

Gill is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket

Shubman Gill is one of the most promising faces in Indian cricket. The Punjab youngster came into limelight after a brilliant performance in India's U19 World Cup triumph. He was awarded the Man of the series award for his consistent batting. Gill then continued his purple patch in the domestic tournaments too. After playing quite a few tournaments for India A, Gill made it to the national side in the tour of New Zealand.

Gill batted in the middle order for KKR last season, but with the comfort with which he bats against the Pacers, he might be tried as an opener as well.

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#4 Joe Denly

Denly might be part of the playing XI on slow Indian pitches

Joe Denly got a surprise call up to the England side after consistent performances in the English county. Denly, who started his career as an opening batsman, has become an all-rounder with his more than useful leg-spin bowling.

Denly was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders owing to his all-round abilities. He will certainly be an opening batting option for KKR in IPL 2019.

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#3 Robin Uthappa

Uthappa hasn't opened in the IPL for a while now

Robin Uthappa is one of the most experienced Indian batsmen in the IPL. Uthappa has played for several franchises including Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India and Mumbai Indians.

However, he has had major success with the Knight Riders. Uthappa has been part of the franchise since 2014 and has played some match-winning innings for the team. Even though he has moved down in the order to provide stability to the middle order, the 33-year-old is a candidate for the opening position.

#2 Sunil Narine

Narine has given quick starts to KKR

Sunil Narine has surprised everyone with his batting abilities. Narine was always KKR's premier bowler, but his batting has provided a whole new dimension to the team. He has played some sensational knocks in the top order and has given flying starts to KKR.

The 30-year-old was in fabulous batting form last year scoring 357 at an outstanding strike-rate of 189.89. The West Indies all-rounder will be hoping to do the same for KKR this time around as well.

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#1 Chris Lynn

Lynn might be available for the entire season

Like his opening partner, Chris Lynn was in fantastic form last season. Lynn scored 491 runs in 16 matches and was KKR's second highest run-getter of the season. The right-hand batsman batted a little differently, batting with maturity and concentrating on building the innings rather than going for rash shots in the powerplays. Lynn is not part of Australia's World Cup plans which means he will be available for the entire season.