IPL 2018: 3 frontrunners for captaining Kolkata Knight Riders

Ever since the IPL auction got over it has been a headache for the Kolkata Knight Riders to pick a captain. Where all the others franchises have announced their captains, Kolkata remains the only team to appoint their captain.

Gautam Gambhir who will be playing for Delhi Daredevils this season has left a big hole in the Kolkata team. The biggest problem for the franchise is that the team does not boast of a player who has much experience as a skipper.

Amidst the dilemma, the franchise came up with an innovative idea to let the fans have a say as they started a 'KKR ka captain Kaun' poll on their website where each participant is allowed to choose one captain they think who can lead the side.

Here are the three players who may captain the team this year.

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#3 Chris Lynn

Australian captains have done well so far in the IPL

The Australian hard-hitting batsman is a potential candidate for the job. Over the past decade, the league has seen a number of teams who have relied on Australian cricketers to lead the team and Chris Lynn appointment as the new captain will not be surprising.

Chris Lynn has already expressed his desire to lead the team. It will not be the first time that he will be doing the job. Lynn has captained Brisbane Heat in the 2015-16 edition of the Big Bash League and carries plenty of experience in the shortest format playing in over 100 T20s.

Chris Lynn was snapped by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs. 9.6 crore after a fierce round of bidding among the various franchises. His ongoing injury remains the only concern for the franchise owners who have invested a huge amount in him.

#2 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik is one of the most experienced players in the Kolkata team

Dinesh Karthik is another frontrunner in the race for the captaincy job. He carries enough experience playing in over 200 T20 matches and over 200 List A matches. His international career has been a topsy-turvy ride ever since he made his debut back in 2004.

Karthik has been in and out of the Indian team due to lack of a vulnerable spot in the lineup but is eyeing a permanent spot in the side after displaying his potential as a batsman in the recent times.

He has proved his worth as a batsman in the IPL, scoring 2903 runs in 152 matches. It was clear that Kolkata Knight Riders have invested for the batsman in him when they shelled out Rs. 7.4 crore for him.

#1 Robin Uthappa

Ganguly himself has put his trust in him

According to recent developments, Robin Uthappa is being seen as the future captain of the team. Sourav Ganguly has chosen Uthappa for the role over other potential candidates who may captain the side.

Uthappa has been with the Kolkata team since the 2014 edition of the league and his contribution as a batsman has been valuable for the team. He has scored 1806 runs in 58 matches that he has played for the franchise over the previous 4 seasons.

He carries little experience as a captain, captaining India A team on tour of Australia in 2013. Kolkata Knight Riders used their Right to Match card to retain Uthappa at a price of Rs. 6.4 crore.