IPL 2017: Know your team - Strengths, Weaknesses and Key Performance Indicators

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gautam Gambhir will continue to lead KKR in IPL 2017

Strength: Stability

Since Venky Mysore took over as Kolkata’s Managing Director and Gautam Gambhir as their captain before the 2011 season Kolkata have used just 48 players - by some distance the fewest of the five teams to have played all seasons since then. The stability of Kolkata’s team has bred a familiarity of roles amongst their players which in turn has brought specialisation and success.

Weakness: Adjusting to life after Russell

Historically, the strength of Kolkata’s Indian batting and the power of Russell down the order has allowed Kolkata to pick two overseas all-rounders and two overseas bowlers. That formula is under threat due to the absence of Russell and the poor availability and form of Shakib Al Hasan.

Woakes is likely to replace Russell in the team but is unlikely to match his scoring rate, leaving Kolkata in need of additional power. Lynn provides that option but selecting him will mean Kolkata adjusting an overseas balance that has served them well for two seasons now.

Key Performance Indicator: Chris Lynn

If Lynn does play - and he should - then how well he does will be hugely significant for the team. Lynn has historically struggled against spin but the indications more recently are that he is improving that aspect of his game.

Lynn is a powerful batsman as opposed to Russell the power-hitter; Lynn will be afforded the time to make a greater impact, and if he maintains his BBL form Kolkata’s batting will take on a new dimension.