IPL 2018, Match 3: Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Predicted 11 to face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League kicks off tomorrow, April 7, at Mumbai, while two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will play their opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 8. The last time KKR and RCB met at the Eden Gardens, the latter created a rather forgettable record of scoring the lowest team total of the tournament – 49 all out.

This time around, the Virat Kohli-led side will be looking to erase the embarrassing memory of the past by registering a win. The match will be played at 8 PM at KKR’s home ground. Here’s the predicted XI for the home team.

---

Top order– Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa and Shubman Gill

The Kolkata Knight Riders could have suffered a huge blow if their star batsman Chris Lynn didn’t recover on time ahead of the tournament. However, their CEO Venky Mysore recently confirmed the hard-hitting Australian batsman’s availability in the tournament.

Lynn, who has been an outstanding performer in the Big Bash League, and has also played some impressive knocks for KKR last year, is likely to take guard alongside Robin Uthappa who has been one of the best openers for the franchise last few seasons.

Star of India’s U19 World Cup triumph, Shubman Gill is an opening batsman but given that Lynn and Uthappa are the experienced and reliable options at the top, Gill will have to adjust at no. 3.

Our tournament homepage has IPL live score, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more. Bookmark it now!

Middle order and wicketkeeper - Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik

Karthik will be at the team's helm

The no. 4 batting position is likely to be filled by skipper Dinesh Karthik, who has consistently delivered as a wicketkeeper-batsman in Indian domestic cricket. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has been useful as a middle-order batsman and as Gautam Gambhir’s successor, he will be under pressure to deliver as a captain and batsman both.

Recently, it was confirmed by Uthappa himself that the keeper’s gloves this year will be donned by Karthik.

Nitish Rana, who was very impressive for the Mumbai Indians last year, is likely to bat at no. 5 for KKR. The southpaw was one of the most valuable players of the tournament last year and also won his side a couple of matches single-handedly. It is thus imperative that KKR try him on no. 5 this season as well.

All-rounders - Andre Russell and Sunil Narine

Andre Rusell is one of the best all-rounders in the IPL

Both the Windies players have been powerful weapons for the franchise, and the participation of both was in doubt until earlier this week when it was confirmed that Narine, who was suspended from PSL for suspect bowling action and Russell, who was injured, will be a part of the team since the start.

Russell is one of the finest all-rounders of the tournament and is capable of clearing almost any ground in the world. Narine, on the other hand, proved to be excellent as a batsman when he was played as an opener last year. With the ball, his expertise is known to all.

Spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla will be the most experienced spinner for KKR

With Mitchell Starc ruled out due to injury, KKR’s bowling attack will not be as powerful as it looked on paper after the auctions, but in Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla, the team boasts of possibly the best spin-trio in the tournament. Both Kuldeep and Chawla have played together for KKR and for their home state Uttar Pradesh and thus complement each other well.

The chinaman, in particular, has been very impressive in international cricket the past few months, during which he also took a hat-trick at KKR’s home ground Eden Gardens. The young bowler will be hoping to replicate his international success for KKR.

Fast-bowlers – Vinay Kumar and Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson will spearhead KKR's pace department this year

KKR’s fast bowling artillery suffered a huge blow as Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. The pace department now consists of Mitchell Johnson, Vinay Kumar, Andre Russell and the U19 stars Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Johnson in all likeliness will spearhead the pace department alongside Vinay and Russell, while Mavi and Nagarkoti, who were very impressive in the U19 World Cup, may have to wait for a chance to bowl as the tournament progresses.