IPL 2018: Match 15, RR vs KKR- Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

After an impressive show against the Delhi Daredevils (DD), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would now be facing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Man Singh in Jaipur. Both sides have had resounding triumphs in their previous games and would be keen to string back to back victories and take their teams closer to getting qualified.

The Knights were clinical against Gautam Gambhir’s men, but they might be lured to make a few changes to the eleven, bearing in mind the nature of the wicket in Jaipur. In our article, we now take a look at the probable playing eleven, which will take charge in the Pink City.

Openers (Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine)

Both Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine struggled to make an impact in their previous game against the Delhi Daredevils.  Lynn has scored the runs, but has clearly found it difficult to find his timing. On a decent wicket at the Eden Gardens, he flayed his willow with all his might throughout his nock, but the bowlers managed to put a lid on him.

Sunil Narine started the tournament with a couple of breezy knocks. He raced away against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and also gave his team a blistering start against CSK. However, he was sent at the middle order, which backfired for the Knights. He was back to the top of the order against the Daredevils, but couldn’t deliver. The Knights will again depend on them for a quick start.

Middle-order (Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (capt & wk), Shubman Gill)

The middle order has been impressive thus far in the tournament. Robin Uthappa, after a couple of lacklustre performance, found the middle of the bat, much to the relief of the Knights. Nitish Rana has simply been brilliant and managed to bag the Player of the Match award against the Daredevils. More importantly, he showed temperament to play under pressure.

Dinesh Karthik has been getting the runs and has shown responsibility to guide his team. However, the runs haven’t flowed off his willow at a fair clip, which might be a concern going into the business end of the tournament. Shubman Gill has taken after Russell and hasn’t had much to do thus far. The Knights would be hoping for the Punjab-born batsman to finish well.

All-rounder (Andre Russell)

Andre Russell, currently, has 19 sixes in his kitty in the four games and has looked one of the most dangerous batsmen in the tournament. Against CSK, he tore the ball apart and he replicated the same form against the Daredevils as well. To multiply the Knights’ delight, the Jamaican has also bagged a couple of wickets and found some much-required rhythm with bowling.

Bowlers (Shivam Mavi, Mitchell Johnson, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav)

The bowlers have been erratic, however, have managed to guide the Knights to a couple of victories. The pace bowling has been a matter of concern. Tom Curran, who replaced Mitchell Starc, have been taken for runs thus far in the games. Mitchell Johnson, being the more experienced player, might get the nod ahead of the English pacer in the upcoming match.

The spinners are the ones who have been exceptional for India. Though Piyush Chawla has been a tad expensive, he has managed to pick up some crucial wickets in the form of Jason Roy and Quinton de Kock. Narine remains to be their prime spinner in the lineup owing to the impact he has made with his guile and trajectory. Kuldeep Yadav’s chinaman can’t be undermined either.

Here’s KKR Predicted XI for the game against RR