IPL 2018: Kolkata Knight Riders squad analysis

Batting

Lynn will be a huge factor at the top of the innings

Chris Lynn (7 matches, 295 runs in IPL 2017) will be a massive factor for the men in purple. The right-hander can loot the opponent’s moral strength in the first six overs making excellent utilization of the fielding restrictions.

KKR would want Chris Lynn to remain fit and available for the entire tournament. Along with him, batting prodigy Shubman Gill (245 runs in 2 First-class matches) can be at the top and it would make for an interesting opening pair.

At No. 3, KKR’s reliable player, Robin Uthappa (14 matches, 388 runs in IPL 2017) will most probably come in. Uthappa has been extremely consistent at this number for KKR and now with no Manish Pandey in the side, Uthappa will need to bat with extra responsibility.

Nitish Rana (437 runs in 17 IPL matches) and Dinesh Karthik, who will also keep wickets, (2903 runs in 152 IPL matches) give the Knight Riders middle order a strong structure around which the big-hitting all-rounders can come in at the end-overs.

Even Karthik and Rana are quite capable of playing the big shots and finish off the innings if needed.

It is the batting unit of KKR that looks the weakest and perhaps a few more regular batsman could have made things a lot easier for the captain and the coach.