KKR's best possible playing XI

Contrary to what most cricket fanatics predicted, the Kolkata Knight Riders have made a strong start to the Indian Premier League 2018.

While they comprehensively beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first game, they came extremely close to bagging another win, in their second match against the Chennai Super Kings. They have some T20 specialists in their ranks who can bail them out from any situation, which makes them a team to fear.

However, there is huge room for improvement as the Knights still try to figure out their best eleven. Though the playing eleven would vary from pitch to pitch, the following is what their best lineup could be in general conditions.

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#1 Chris Lynn

Lynn has struggled with consistency.

One of the most destructive T20 batsmen in the world, Chris Lynn could win a match almost single-handedly. The 28-year-old from Queensland is known to go at the bowling attack from the word go, but it hasn't helped him lately.

Lynn has often failed to select the correct shot to play, and has opted to go for a rash shot, which in turn has cost him his wicket. He is yet to get going in this edition of the IPL. Having said that, all it will take for him to regain his rhythm is one big innings.

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#2 Sunil Narine

Narine has rapidly become a very dangerous batsman, and is still great with the ball

Who would've thought Sunil Narine would develop into one of T20's best all-rounders? Narine has provided the Knights with a gigantic boost at the top of the order with his batting. His swashbuckling hitting not only provides a fantastic platform for the other batsmen but makes the bowlers nervy and forces them to make errors.

He has proven the doubters of his bowling wrong too, with two great performances with the ball. One of KKR's most important players.

#3 Robin Uthappa

Uthappa is one of KKR's most consistent performers.

Into his fourth season with the Knights, Robin Uthappa remains a vital player for them. He can play a breezy innings in any situation of the match.

Uthappa balances his style of play beautifully, mixing the massive hits with gorgeous drives, and chipping in with the 1s and the 2s to keep the scoreboard ticking.

He will play a key role in determining whether they make it to the playoffs or not.

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#4 Shubman Gill

Gill was adjudged the best player in the recently concluded U19 World Cup.

This is one change KKR need to make. While Rinku Singh comes across as a youngster with a lot of potential, and is an extraordinary fielder above all, KKR need a more dependable run scorer in their eleven.

The Knights seem to lack that one extra batsman in their lineup, and Gill could be the solution to that problem.

He packs a lot of promise and can flourish if faith is bestowed on him. He is a proven run-getter, and would be raring to announce his arrival in the IPL.

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#5 Nitish Rana

Rana (first from left) is a like-for-like replacement for Manish Pandey.

He wowed us all with his one over against the Royal Challengers Bangalore where he scalped two wickets of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. His batting in that match went somewhat unnoticed, but he played a quality innings.

His innings must have reminded the KKR fans of many such of the same kind played by former knight Manish Pandey.

Rana could prove to be a steal at ₹3.4 crores, after being in fine form for the Mumbai Indians last season. Just the kind of player KKR needed to fill Pandey's boots.

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Karthik has led his troops well so far.

To come in as a replacement for one of the best captains in the history of the IPL is a tough task, but Dinesh Karthik seems to be doing it well so far. He belongs to that rare breed of batsmen who can analyze the situation perfectly, and then play accordingly.

Karthik has now played two vital innings for KKR, coming in at tricky periods of the innings, and leading by example. He has ensured he doesn't lose his wicket cheaply, while also punishing the poor deliveries without fault. Signs of a very able captain.

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#7 Andre Russell

Dre Russ is the definition of a T20 all-rounder.

Probably the best all-rounder in this format, Russell can be the best batsman and the best bowler of a team when on-song. Right now, he is.

The 29-year-old West Indian can embarrass bowlers with his huge hitting, and can bowl fantastic deliveries in demanding situations. He is a world-class fielder too. In a nutshell, the complete package and KKR's best player.

#8 Piyush Chawla

Chawla scored the winning runs in the 2014 IPL final

Piyush Chawla remains a very good bowler, who doesn't get demoralized on being hit for runs. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to lure the batsman into playing the big shots, thereby grabbing wickets.

Chawla on his day can bowl four quality, and economical overs. He is often handed the ball when the team desperately needs a wicket and Piyush provides it more often than not. An expert of the googly, and a handy lower order batsman too.

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#9 Mitchell Johnson

Johnson is still going strong at 36

Mitchell Johnson might be well past his glory days, but he is still a gutsy, fiery pacer, who is not afraid to bang one into the pitch and look straight into the eyes of the batsman.

Johnson proved against RCB why he has still got it, as the veteran served some cracking short-pitched deliveries to the Bangalore batsmen. It was surprising to see him replaced in the next game for Tom Curran.

Although Curran is a talented bowler who can nail the yorker when he's in his rhythm. It would be advisable for the Knights to continue picking the Australian for his experience. He can swing the bat fairly well too.

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#10 Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Nagarkoti can bowl at over 145 kmph

This is another change KKR must make. Having shelled out a handsome Rs. 3.2 crore for the 18-year-old wonder-kid, it was surprising to see the Knights keep him out of the eleven for Vinay Kumar.

It is understandable that KKR have preferred an experienced bowler, to begin with, instead of someone who has never played in the IPL before. But it is unlikely that Nagarkoti can perform any worse than Vinay Kumar has.

Kumar's performances have been abysmal, and have cost his team dearly in their match against CSK. Nagarkoti is extremely talented and is worth taking the risk to trust him with the ball. He can deliver at speeds of around 145 kmph, and if KKR can develop him into the player we expect him to be, they have a star in their hands.

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#11 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep has been a real find for KKR

Kuldeep is a regular chinaman. He might get hit for runs, but will never shy away from bowling the risky delivery, in anticipation of a wicket. And it does work pretty well for him.

He is a specialist in luring the batsman to step out of his crease, and then bowling it wide of off-stump, thereby presenting the wicket-keeper with a stumping opportunity. Yadav can take wickets in quick succession and can turn the tables midway through a match.