IPL 2018: Kolkata Knight Riders squad analysis

All-Rounders

Russell will lead the pack of all-rounders

A lot will be expected from Andre Russell (574 runs and 31 wickets in 34 matches) who is a huge hitter of the ball and a lead bowler as well. The West Indian has been in good form in the T20 leagues and would love to translate that form in the IPL after he couldn’t attend last season of IPL as he was facing an ICC suspension. A lot of the ambitious KKR dreams will revolve around all-rounders form.

South Africa’s Cameron Delport is another option for the KKR but Delport will most likely not feature in the playing eleven because of the restraint of playing four overseas players.

If Delport gets a game, he would be an asset to the team and his records speak for himself especially in the T20 format. (3224 runs and 48 wickets in 139 T20s)

And then the largely unknown all-round ability of Kamlesh Nagarkoti (8 matches, 120 runs, and 9 wickets). Nagarkoti is a decent bat and averaged close to 40 with the bat in the Ranji Trophy for Rajasthan.

However, the T20 format will be a different ballgame altogether and Nagarkoti would love to contribute to the team’s cause.

Piyush Chawla can hit a few out of the ground as well apart from his leg breaks (remembered for scoring the winning runs in the IPL 2014 finals).