IPL 10, Match 11, KKR v KXIP – Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a rollicking start in IPL 10 after demolishing Gujarat Lions by all 10 wickets in their opening encounter at Rajkot. It was a Lynn-Gambhir show as the opening combination chased down the stiff target of 184 set by Gujarat with more than 5 overs remaining. While the Big Bash hero smashed an unbeaten 93 of a mere 41 deliveries, captain Gambhir was not out on 76

But despite their exceptional performance in the first game, KKR got a reality check in their 2nd encounter against the Mumbai Indians which they lost by 4 wickets. KKR was in a dominating position during Mumbai’s chase but yet again it was the heroics of Hardik Pandya which cost KKR the game. With the 3rd match coming up tomorrow against the unbeaten Kings XI Punjab, KKR might be tempted to leave out Kiwi fast bowler Trent Boult in favour of Nathan CoulterNile.

The biggest worry for KKR will be the absence of Chris Lynn as the hard-hitting batsman injured his left shoulder during their previous encounter and remains doubtful for the remainder of the tournament. After his heroics in the opening encounter, KKR will surely miss his services for the remainder of the tournament. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is expected to be his replacement.

Umesh Yadav is also a certainty in the XI for Kolkata’s first home game as the fast bowler took a few days off to manage his workload after bowling his heart out during the long and hectic home season for Team India.

So with more than 24 hours to go for the 11th match of the competition to commence let us have a look at the Predicted XI of Kolkata Knight Riders

Openers (Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa)

Following the injury to Chris Lynn, we are likely to see Robin Uthappa strolling out in the middle to open the innings along with captain Gautam Gambhir. The duo has been the pillar of the Kolkata Knight Riders line up in their previous editions and was instrumental in helping them lift their 2nd IPL title in 2015.

Both are exceptional stroke players and can find the gaps to perfection. Gambhir began with a brilliant 76 against Pune and will look to replicate that innings after missing out on the 2nd encounter against Mumbai Indians. Uthappa, on the other hand, is a free-flowing player and can go hammers and tongs when on song.

The right-hander didn’t bother the scorers in the previous encounter and was holed out at the deep of the bowling of left-arm tweaker Krunal Pandya. The Karnataka lad will look to put that behind him and come out all guns blazing in their 3rd match against Kings XI Punjab.

Middle order (Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Shakib Al Hasan)

Karnataka lad Manish Pandey scored a scintillating 47 balls 81 which ensured Kolkata reached a challenging score after batting first in the previous encounter against the Mumbai Indians. He demolished the Mumbai bowling line-up all around the park and smashed 5 fours and 5 sixes during his unbeaten knock. With Uthappa going up the order, Pandey is expected to come at No.3.

Suryakumar Yadav who has been an integral member of the Kolkata Knight Riders set up since 2014 looked out of sorts in the previous match but will certainly retain his place given his hard-hitting abilities. His pick up flick over the fine leg region remain his signature shot and we might see him unleashing a few of those in the next encounter against the unbeaten Punjab side.

Comeback man Shakib is expected to come in ahead of Yusuf Pathan given the latter’s indifferent form. Shakib has played some exceptional innings off late across all formats and continues to be the No.1 all-rounder in the world across all 3 formats of the game. To go with his swashbuckling abilities, Shakib can also give Gambhir 4 crucial overs in the middle.

Lower Middle order (Yusuf Pathan, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes)

The hard-hitting Yusuf Pathan hasn’t realised his potential in the tournament so far and has woeful returns in the opening two matches. Given his reputation, he will certainly keep his place with the ability to bowl some crucial overs in between.

Nathan Coulter-Nile is expected to get his first game of the tournament in place of Kiwi pacer Trent Boult who conceded 47 runs in his allotted 4 overs in the previous encounter. Coulter-Nile can bowl some fast swinging deliveries but at times tends to leak runs. To go with his bowling he is also a terrific striker of the ball and plays the big shots to good effect.

Woakes who made his IPL debut this time around didn’t look menacing with the ball in hand and wasn’t required to bat but given the team combination, he is expected to retain his place in the XI.

Bowlers (Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Umesh Yadav)

Left-arm chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav who made a sensational Test debut for India very recently against Australia bowled really well in the first two games. While he got some stick in the previous game, he was at his best in the opening encounter where he finished with impressive figures of 2/25 in 4 overs.

The Caribbean magician hasn’t been at his best ever since remodifying his action but still continues to pose a lethal threat to the oppositions with his uncanny action. He can turn the ball both ways with a similar action which makes him that much difficult to pick. He has been a champion bowler for KKR over the years and it’s just a matter of time when he gets back to his groove and starts producing the magic once again.

Umesh Yadav who missed the opening two games of Kolkata to manage his workload after a hectic home season is expected to be back for their first home game at the Eden gardens and it will surely bolster their bowling line-up. Yadav has been exceptional in the long home season and provided India with vital breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game.