IPL 2018: 5 reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders can win IPL XI

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been no less than a Bollywood potboiler, filled with lows and highs and fightbacks and setbacks. Being a victim of constant trolling in the first three years, the Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta owned franchise's rise in Gautam Gambhir's era was similar to a Phoenix's one - from its own ashes.

But after uncountable wonderful memories and two titles to show for, Gambhir has returned to the city in which he grew up. After 7 years, KKR have once again gone through a major renovation. Their new-look side has been criticised a lot. Interestingly, they are the only franchise to have exhausted their full purse of money (Rs 80 crores), and yet, they have the least number of players (19).

But criticism is something the KKR management won't mind, given that they had to hear similar things way back in 2011 when they built a completely new look side. They surprised everyone back then, and they could pull off a similar act this time as well because there certainly are some factors which could work in their favour.

#5- Opening pair of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine

Chris Lynn

KKR has got an opening pair that will give nightmares to the greatest of the bowlers. Unfortunately for the men with the ball in hand, they will have to encounter Lynn at one end and Narine on the other, when they face the boys in purple and gold. Both the Aussie and the Caribbean are known for their ability to send the ball into orbit.

Lynn played seven matches last season and accumulated 295 runs. Alongside his last year's average of nearly 50, Lynn's strike rate of over 180 completely justifies his stature. On the other hand, after losing some of his venom with the ball, Narine went berserk with the bat last year.

The pinch-hitter might average under 20, but his strike rate of 170+ means he, alongside Lynn, can surely give the team a great start in the powerplays.

#4- Experienced middle-order

Dinesh Karthik

If the opening pair is all about big-hitting and lynching the bowlers, the number three and four of KKR will provide stability to the innings. In case KKR lose two of their openers within the first six overs, they can rely on the massively experienced duo of the new skipper Dinesh Karthik, and the hero behind many dramatic KKR wins, Robin Uthappa.

Both Karthik and Uthappa have been a part of the tournament since its inception and knows every detail of the annual cricketing fiesta. While the former averaged more than 35 runs last year, Uthappa scored around 30 odd runs in every match. With the necessary experience in their kitty, they are the ones KKR loyalists will be looking forward to in critical situations.

#3- Powerful lower-order

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016: Final - England v West Indies

If we have a closer look at KKR's team, we can see the pattern that their CEO Venky Mysore and the team management have opted for. They have got two batsmen at the top who can attack from the very first delivery, then they have got two vastly experienced campaigners in Uthappa and Karthik, and finally, the power-hitting resumes at the bottom order again.

KKR have got Andre Russell to be the leader of the 'finishers' club', alongside comparatively inexperienced Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill. Nothing needs to be said about the first name, whose insane strike rate of over 190 in IPL 8 showed what the player is capable of.

Rana made the headlines last year by virtue of his amazing performance for Mumbai Indians. While his strike rate isn't as good as Russell's, he can call the shots as per the need of the hour. Gill too is a naturally aggressive player. His short-arm jab against Zimbabwe in the ICC U19 World Cup is still fresh in every cricket lovers' memory.

So, it would be fair to say that KKR has got enough fire in their repertoire.

#2- Different roles make up a great spin-twin

Kuldeep Yadav

Sunil Narine enters the list for a second time, this time with Kuldeep Yadav as his partner. KKR's spin department is all set to be managed by this duo of Narine-Yadav. They have their work split up, which makes them the spin-twins to watch out for.

After remodelling his bowling action, there's no hiding from the fact that Narine, as a bowler, isn't the same that he used to be. While his knack of picking up wickets might have gone down, the fear of the Caribbean maestro still persists in the minds of the batters.

As a result, Narine is one of the most miser bowlers in the history of IPL, whose economy rate last year was below 7 runs per over, something that you don't get to see often in T20 cricket.

Kuldeep, on the contrary, is the wicket-taking option. The chinaman is never afraid to tempt the batters. While sometimes he was on the receiving end, owing to which his economy rate last year was over 8 runs per over, he often gets his reward.

Victimizing 12 batters last season in as many matches, Kuldeep is set to do the same task for KKR again.

#1- Fiery pacers

The relaid Eden Gardens pitch favours the seamers to a great extent. KKR have got a plethora of fiery pacers in this side, who can consistently bowl over 140 kmph. Their pace trio will be guided by the very best in the business, Mitchell Starc. The last time he played in IPL, his economy rate was less than 7 and his average was less than 15.

Joining him is the Indian U19 pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who baffled everyone with his pace in the U19 World Cup. Skipper Karthik has got two alternatives here in Shivam Mavi and Vinay Kumar. If he wants another youngster in the team, brimming with raw talent and exuberance, he can opt for Mavi.

If he feels there's a need for an experienced player alongside Starc, in case the batters start to bully the youngster Nagarkoti, he can go with Kumar. Just like his skipper and Uthappa, Kumar too has been a part of the IPL since its inception.