The Kolkata Knight Riders are twice winners of the Indian Premier League but their title charge last year definitely didn’t go to plan when they were beaten in the playoff eliminator. That has left them looking to turn the corner and get back in the title picture this season. The good thing from last year is a lack of expectation on them this season with many expecting them to struggle.
Stats
Last Season: 4th
Captain: Gautam Gambhir
Key Players: Gautam Gambhir & Sunil Narine
Best Odds: 13/2
Predicted Finish Position: Group Stage
Fixtures
Friday April 7 – Gujarat Lions (a)
Sunday April 9 – Mumbai Indians (a)
Thursday April 13 – Kings XI Punjab (h)
Saturday April 15 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Monday April 17 – Delhi Daredevils (a)
Friday April 21 – Gujarat Lions (h)
Sunday April 23 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Wednesday April 26 – Rising Pune Supergiant (a)
Friday April 28 – Delhi Daredevils (h)
Sunday April 30 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (a)
Wednesday May 3 – Rising Pune Supergiant (h)
Sunday May 7 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Tuesday May 9 – Kings XI Punjab (a)
Saturday May 13 – Mumbai Indians (h)
Auction
Most expensive player: Trent Boult
Other notable signings: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, Rishi Dhawan, Darren Bravo
Strengths
Usually the strength of this Kolkata Knight Riders side has come with the ball but the absence of Andre Russell and the waning of Sunil Narine might mean that isn’t the case this season. Morne Morkel isn’t around in Kolkata anymore either and neither is Brad Hogg so the Knight Riders will need their auction signings to come good with the ball. In Trent Boult they should have someone they can rely on.
Weaknesses
They have a flimsy top order who can sometimes put a bit too much pressure on their middle and lower order to deliver. They have plenty of batting depth but a lot of it is hitting potential rather than out and out batsmen so they need performances from their top three or four on a regular basis.
Betting
With Sunil Narine not as potent as he once was there isn’t much I fancy in the way of bets here. The favourite for the batting is Gautam Gambhir but again I don’t like taking captains and it isn’t easy to oppose him with anyone. We don’t really know how they are going to go into the season with the ball and with Shakib-al-Hasan missing the opening game we can’t really back him in anything. With that all in mind I’ll avoid any KKR team bets.
Tips
No Bet
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