IPL 2019: 3 international stars who could be the key for KKR

In about seven days time, all eyes will shift to IPL in what is expected to be a power-packed season for all the fans. Kolkata Knight Riders' 2019 campaign will kick-off on the 24th of March against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Owing to some unfortunate injuries, KKR missed quite a few prominent players before the start of IPL 2018. However, with better utilization of the resources, Kolkata made their mark in the season as they finished third in the league.

Coincidently, Kolkata Knight Riders are up against a similar kind of challenge this year as well. With IPL 2019 just a few days away, Kolkata has already lost two of their young prodigies - Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi - to unfortunate injuries. Nonetheless, with a dominant and diverse set of players at their disposal, the absence of Kamlesh and Mavi will not pose a big problem for Kolkata in the upcoming edition of IPL. Hence, notwithstanding the injuries, Knight Riders will be hoping to produce a similar kind of performance in this year's IPL as well.

Thus, in this article, we look at three international stars who could be the game-changers for KKR in IPL 2019.

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#1 Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine

At the camps of KKR, Sunil Narine's journey started as a mystery off-spinner. However, with time, Narine - while holding his sumptuous bowling skills - evolved to become an able opening batsman for Kolkata. The very decision of promoting Sunil up the order came in 2017 when Gautam Gambhir was at the helm at KKR. Ever since, Narine has been a regular in Kolkata's opening combination.

Having featured in 16 games in the 2018 edition of IPL, the all-rounder from Trinidad and Tobago tallied 357 runs at an average of 22.31 and an astonishing strike-rate of 189.89. In addition to that, he also struck two fifties in IPL 2018. Besides that, he performed brilliantly with the ball as well. From 16 games, Sunil scalped 17 wickets at an average of 27.47, strike-rate of 21.52, and an economy of 7.65.

Hence, the West Indian all-rounder will be expected to perform on the same lines for Kolkata in the coming edition of IPL as well. Thus, with magnificent batting and bowling skills in his armoury, Narine would be one of the most prominent prospects for KKR in IPL 2019.

#2 Andre Russell

Andre Russell

Andre Russell had a vital role to play in KKR's road to the playoffs in the year 2018. With the willow, the Jamaican all-rounder was successful in bridging the gap between the middle-order and the lower-order. Moreover, he was equally good with the ball.

The West Indian all-rounder played 16 games for Kolkata in the 11th edition of the league. In these games, Russell managed to amass 316 runs at an average of 28.72 and an outstanding strike-rate of 184.70 with a solitary fifty to his name. With the ball in hand, he grabbed 13 wickets at an average of 27.30 and a decent strike-rate of 17.46.

With great numbers against Russell's name, the Kolkata management will be demanding a lot from the Jamaican all-rounder in the forthcoming season. Hence, without any doubts, Russell would happen to be a pivotal part of KKR in IPL 2019.

#3 Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn

After Gambhir's departure, KKR were in dire need of an able opener alongside Sunil Narine. Unsurprisingly, the KKR management decided to hand the opportunity to Chris Lynn who wasn't a regular in KKR's playing XI back then.

The very decision turned out to be quite profitable for Kolkata as, in Lynn and Narine, they got a destructive opening pair who wreaked havoc in IPL 2018. The Australian opening batsman played 16 games for KKR and notched-up 491 runs at an astounding average of 32.73 and a decent strike-rate of 130.23. He also struck three fifties in his course of 16 games. In addition to that, with 491 runs, he also happened to be the second highest run-scorer for KKR in IPL 2018.

Besides that, the right-handed batsman had a decent run in the recently-concluded edition of BBL. In BBL 2018-19, Lynn played 14 games for Brisbane Heat and scored 385 runs at an average of 35.00 and a strike-rate of 126.22. Lynn finished as the sixth highest run-scorer in the league.

Coming into the tournament on the back of great performances, the Australian hitter will play a huge role in KKR's effort to lift the trophy once again.