IPL 2019: Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each team

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR look a little short of quality pace bowlers

Squad: Dinesh Karthik (c), Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Carlos Brathwaite, Anrich Nortje, Lockie Ferguson, Harry Gurney, Nikhil Naik, Yarra Prithviraj, Shrikant Mundhe, Joe Denly

Strengths

KKR's biggest strength lies in their foreign individuals, who just cannot be ignored. Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell are more than just match-winners, they are characters on and off the pitch.

Besides, their batting looks good with the likes of Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa and Shubman Gill.

Weaknesses

This team does have quite a few weaknesses. If looked at it beyond the openers, the number 3,4 and 5, there are quite a few holes that need to be plugged. Who can they field at number 6 or 7, alongside Andre Russell? It'll be highly important to assign specific roles.

Next, Lockie Ferguson and Anrich Nortje are highly inexperienced, which can't necessarily be a bonus. They also lost their U-19 stars in Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti as well. Although both of them will be replaced, it leaves a threat to the two-time champions.

Verdict

One thing is for sure - KKR never say die. Regardless of their shortcomings, they will win matches, play to their basics and find the right combinations, courtesy Jacques Kallis, who knows the DNA of the team in and out.