IPL 2016: Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

Kolkata Knight Riders will kick-start this season with an aim to add third silverware in their trophy cabinet after having won the prestigious league in 2012 and 2014. Just like most of the IPL franchise, KKR also kept their core intact and did not try to make any drastic change. They bought only five players in the auction. They have a well-balanced squad with a settled batting line-up, wonderful all-rounders, and strong spin bowling attack. It would be interesting to see how they perform this season under the new coach Jacques Kallis, who has taken over the position from Trevor Bayliss.

1. Robin Uthappa (WK):

Robin Uthappa has been the batting mainstay for the Kolkata franchise. His batting average of 39.80 is easily the best for KKR. With 1136 runs from 34 matches for KKR, Uthappa is the franchise’s fourth highest run-getter after Captain Gautam Gambhir, Jacques Kallis and Yusuf Pathan. The 30-year-old wicket-keeper batsman from Karnataka was a key contributor for KKR in their previous two title wins. Though IPL 2015 was a silent affair for him but his 205 runs in 5 games at an average of 41 with a strike rate of 139.34 for Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy surely indicate good signs for the team.