IPL 2019: Ranking the openers of each team

7. Kings XI Punjab

The team with most buys in the auctions for the next season, KXIP have a formidable yet explosive top order on paper. The Gayle-Rahul partnership worked wonders last season, but the magic of Gayle slowly waned as the tournament progressed. Rahul fought a lone battle for his team, but going forward, Rahul looks a pale shadow of himself with his current form or lack of it.

Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal are other options who can be used at the top, but Mayank has always flattered to deceive in the IPL. His successful Test debut might give him confidence but his IPL form is yet to hit the peak even after so many years. Karun, on the other hand, has not batted at the top for a long time now.

Nicholas Pooran is another option, but he too is new to the IPL. Also looking at the love for Gayle by the team management, it seems tough for Pooran to get a game in place of the Jamaican marauder.

6. Kolkata Knight Riders

The Lynn-Narine combo has proven to be one of the most devastating opening pairs over the past couple of years. And a high probability is that the trend might continue this time too. But with the World Cup scheduled just after the IPL, the availability of Lynn for the full season is a big question mark. Also, Narine might not be as effective as he was last season, considering his weaknesses must have been found out by several teams.

Uthappa and Shubman are good backups to open the innings. Uthappa is a proven customer at the top while Shubman showed glimpses of his brilliance in the limited opportunities he got last year.

However, the presence of Uthappa and Gill at the top, or their absence in the middle order will make the middle order weaker, which Karthik and the management will be very much aware of.