IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders strongest predicted playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second match of IPL 2024. The match is set to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 23.

The Kolkata-based franchise holds the advantage over the three-time finalists, having won in 16 out of 25 matches, while SRH have emerged victorious only nine times. More particularly, KKR, in 16 editions, have clinched the title on two occasions - in 2012 and 2014.

On the other hand, the Hyderabad-based franchise could only manage to secure the title once so far which came in the 2016 season. They were the runners-up in the 2018 season as they lost to Chennai Super Kings in the finals. However, both sides are expected to deliver brilliant performances in their opening fixture, promising fans an exciting clash showdown in the capital city of West Bengal.

Also check: KKR vs SRH Live Score, Match 2

Here's Kolkata Knight Riders' Predicted XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer

Afghanistan star opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz will pair walk into bat with left-hand batter Venkatesh Iyer. Gurbaaz who opens for his national side will take up the same role in this team. KKR will be happy to have an aggressive opening batter like Gurbaz in their XI.  The opener can take on the bowlers from the very first bowl build a big innings and provide his team with a good start. Gurbaz represented KKR in the last season as well and played 11 matches in which he scored 227 runs which included two fifty-plus scores. Though Gurbaz's scores in the previous matches against Ireland haven't been up to the mark, the Afghan batter will look to start fresh in the upcoming clash.

Iyer, on the other hand, was signed by CSK at the IPL 2021 player auction. The opening batter hails from Indore and has so far scored nearly 956 runs in 36 games. His breakout season was in the 2021 edition, where he scored 370 runs in 10 games. In the previous edition, he scored his maiden IPL ton against Mumbai Indians and became only the second player to do so for the franchise after Brendon McCullum in 2008. The tall left-hander is a promising all-rounder as well and can chip in with some crucial overs. The Kolkata-based franchise has shown a lot of faith in the youngster's talent.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

Middle order: Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh

The team’s strength lies in its middle order, featuring skipper Shreyas Iyer, aggressive Nitish Rana, and the new finisher in the town, Rinku Singh. Shreyas has been part of the team since the 2022 season and is the captain of the team. He had a good opening season with KKR and scored 401 runs in 14 matches which included three fifties. Last season he was ruled out of the whole season due to an injury sustained ahead of the tournament. Upon his return, Shreyas has been in a good knick and has scored consistently for the national side. He is the right fit for the No.3 position in this team.

Nitish Rana was handed over the captaincy duties in place of Shreyas in the last edition. Rana has been part of KKR since the 2018 edition. He has been a brilliant inclusion in the squad. He also brings a left-hand option in the middle. The Delhi-born can take on opposition bowlers and score big runs.  He has scored 2257 runs for the franchise in his 88 appearances. 

Rinku Singh's breakout season was in the 2023 edition where the whole world saw how dangerous he can be in the latter stage of the innings. He hit five consecutive sixes in the last over against Gujarat Titans and won the game for his side. With his brilliant performances, he also got his maiden India call-up and is a strong candidate to be in India's playing XI in the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.

All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine

The power and range of shots that Andre Russell possesses are versed by everyone. The strong West Indian can take the game away from the opposition with his batting. 2018 was Russell's best season where he won the matches for KKR single-handedly on multiple occasions. Along with batting, the 35-year-old can bowl and is good with both new and old bowl. He can bowl pin-point yorkers and deceive batters with his pace. 

His other Caribbean teammate Sunil Narine is also a key player in this team. Narine who has been part of the team since 2012 is known for his mystery spin bowling. He was part of both KKR's title-winning campaigns and had a major role in their success. Narine under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy was promoted to the opening slot. The all-rounder can hit big sixes and can give his team a solid start.

Also Check: Kolkata vs Hyderabad, Match 3 - MPL Opinio Prediction

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, Suyash Sharma

The costliest player in the history of IPL, Mitchell Starc is set to make his return in the cash-rich league. Starc who was previously part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be back after eight years. He has been the prime bowler in all the formats for Australia. His numbers in IPL have also been decent, in 27 matches he has picked 34 wickets. Starc will take the new bowl and also bowl a couple of overs in death. With his experience, he can rip apart any batter.

Sharing the new ball will be young Chetan Sakariya, hailing from Rajasthan, the left-hand bowler hasn't been given consistent opportunities. In 19 games he has picked 20 wickets. His best season was in the 2021 edition where the youngster picked 14 wickets in 14 games. Sakariya will have Starc beside him to guide him during tricky situations. 

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been a brilliant spinning partner of Sunil Narine. With his variations and spinning abilities, he can outplay any batter. In 56 matches he has picked 62 wickets. His best performance came against the Delhi Capitals in the 2020 edition where he ended with figures of 5/20. He also can bowl in the death overs.

Leg spinner Suyash Sharma is another youngster who had a brilliant season in 2023. In 11 games Suyash managed to pick 10 wickets. His best performance came in his debut game against RCB where he picked three wickets. Sharma will be a good partner to the other spinners and will be a good option for Shreyas in the middle overs.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

KKR's Predicted XI against SRH:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc, Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, Suyash Sharma.