IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore

Kolkata Knight Riders had a rough time in the first half of IPL 2021. Can they script a comeback?

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Kolkata Knight Riders
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Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

After winning only two of their seven matches in the first leg of the IPL 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders will begin the second leg with a lot more hope and planning. From here on, KKR needs to win as many matches as possible to make it to the playoffs. 

Their first game is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on September 20 in Abu Dhabi, a venue where they lost their previous encounter against this same opposition. Here is the predicted XI of KKR for their game against RCB:

1. Openers (Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill)

Despite their poor show opening the batting in the first half of this season, KKR is likely to back Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana. On paper, the two have the skills of forming a formidable pair and should be able to handle the pressure. On top of that, it should be noted that their right hand-left hand pairing is also a great thing. 

2. Middle-order (Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik)

Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

In at no. 3, Rahul Tripathi should find a place and should be able to hold on to his place in the side. Captain Morgan likes batting at no. 4 and must continue to bat at that position. However, it is about time that he starts scoring runs else a sack looms over his head. Dinesh Karthik will be back on the field after quite some time and would be looking to rewrite his numbers for this season. 

3. All-rounders (Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine)

Andre Russell
Andre Russell. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

With Pat Cummins not available for this leg, Shakib should slot right back into this side. He adds batting depth, which can be handy, given how paper-thin their plans have been in this season so far. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are two automatic choices, but this is a moment when the push has come to shove and it’s time they set up as senior players. 

4. Bowlers (Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna)

Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Varun Chakravarthy is a threat on every pitch but he would enjoy coming back to the UAE, where he enjoyed a lot of success in the 2020 edition of the IPL. Shivam Mavi should be given one more chance, as this is almost a new season. Kamlesh Nagarkoti might have to wait for a while for his chance. And, having been impressive since the start of this year, Prasidh Krishna is an automatic choice.

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