IPL 2018: 5 players who will be important for Kolkata Knight Riders this season

As we gear up for another exciting season in the Indian Premier League, teams have already completed their pre-season formalities and are looking set to compete in arguably the most popular league in world cricket.

While almost every IPL team has been impressive in constructing their teams for the 11th edition of the coveted tournament, two times champions Kolkata Knight Riders, have somehow lagged behind, as it seems.

The Bengal giants have been earmarked as the weakest team in the league going into the competition next week. The recent injury of Mitchell Starc, which ruled him out of the IPL this season, coupled with the frequent injury issues of star players Chris Lynn, Mitchell Johnson has led to a series of pessimism ahead of their campaign, this season.

Therefore, KKR definitely need to work as a unit this year if they are to get their hands on the coveted IPL trophy yet again this season.

In this article, we will talk about five players who will be vital for KKR in this edition of the IPL.

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#5 Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Nagarkoti

is someone to watch out for

Arguably the best Under-19 bowler for India, at this point in time, Kamlesh Nagarkoti's incredible performance in the recent Under-19 World Cup, forced KKR to splash 3.2 crores on this Indian speedster.

Although the Knights have also bagged his teammate Shivam Mavi for 3 crores, Nagarkoti is highly expected to be given starting berth into the lineup right from the get-go. He will remain Kolkata's main Indian pacer, with experienced Vinay Kumar being more of a utility bowler.

One of the things which make him a unique component is his remarkable bowling speed. While Indian fans would fancy any bowler who can bowl at 140-kmph, they were stunned when the duo of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti started clocking up the 145-kmph mark at Bay Oval, New Zealand.

Nagarkoti's sheer bowling speed coupled with his ability to deliver great out-swingers will definitely revamp KKR's bowling unit and despite his age, he will instantly become a vital cog for the Knights this season.

#4 Kuldeep Yadav

The ingenuity of Kuldeep Yadav will be key this season

Following the deterioration of Sunil Narine, largely due to his changed bowling action, the onus will be on young Kuldeep Yadav to deliver the magical touch in the spin department.

The 23-year-old has come a long way since his breakout, a few years ago and has recently emerged as one of India's brightest young talents, in the bowling department.

Earlier this year, he became the first Chinaman to play for India in test cricket and the native from Kanpur didn't disappoint either, scalping nine wickets in just two test matches.

But that being said, he can be equally effective in the shorter version of the game. His ability to bowl wicket to wicket makes him a dangerous proposition for any batsman in the world. While he may go for a few runs, Yadav is guaranteed to pick up at least one important wicket throughout the middle overs.

Many fans expect Kuldeep Yadav to emerge as the main spinner for KKR this season, dethroning Sunil Narine in the process. Therefore, he will surely be one of the most important Knights going into the tournament.

#3 Chris Lynn

Big-hitting Lynn will once again be important for the Knights

Someone who needs absolutely no introduction, Chris Lynn's explosive batting already makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in T20 cricket.

Despite playing in only a handful number of matches in the IPL, Lynn has become a force to be reckoned with, thanks to his incredible ability to take out any bowler in the world with his explosive style of batting.

Blessed with sheer power, Lynn is one of the best hitters of the ball in world cricket at the moment. The Aussie international is apparently recovering from an injury and if things go well, he might be available for KKR's opening matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on 8th April.

Lynn is expected to open the innings for KKR this term, where he will be partnered by either of Robin Uthappa or Sunil Narine. The 27-year-old attains an impressive strike rate of 158.02 in his 12 matches in IPL so far and that is sure to improve this season.

#2 Mitchell Johnson

The pacer will lead the bowling attack

Mitchell Starc's absence will be a huge blow for KKR this season. The 27-year-old pace bowler was expected to lead the attack, after joining the Knights for a whopping fee of 9.4 crores.

However, KKR did manage to sign a back-up in the shape of Mitchell Johnson, who was signed on the second day of the auction, from the list of unsold players.

And although reports suggest that England fast bowler Tom Curran will replace the injured Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson is still expected to lead the bowling charge for the Knight Riders this campaign.

Johnson's stark experience of playing in the IPL along with his aggression is tailor-made for a team like KKR, a team which loves to take early wickets.

The experienced Aussie has all the qualities to lead the charge for KKR and he can also act as a mentor for the likes of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

#1 Andre Russell

Russell is raring to go

By far the most important player for Kolkata Knight Riders, at the moment, the decision to retain star player Andre Russell was a good one from the Bengal giants, as it seems.

After missing last year's IPL due to a suspension, the West Indian is raring to go, in this edition of the Indian Premier League.

Russell's ability to hit huge sixes in death overs make him a priceless component in the KKR lineup while he can also be just as impressive with the ball as well. The bulky West Indian will become a crucial bowling outlet for Simon Katich's side, especially in the death overs, where his subtle change of variations can restrict the opposition from scoring big.

The 29-year-old has already reached Kolkata, earlier this week and most importantly, he has also recovered from his injury, meaning he will be a vital cog as KKR look to impose their dominance in this edition of the IPL.