IPL 2019: Kolkata Knight Riders' strongest possible playing XI

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

2018 was Dinesh Karthik’s first IPL season as a full-time captain. With the brittle squad at his exposure, there were not many who were backing India’s long-time backup wicketkeeper. By the end of the season, he managed to win back all his critics with a splendid performance. Karthik played all three crucial roles - captain, batsman, and wicketkeeper, all extremely well.

Batting at six, Karthik is capable of handling any match situation. He can consolidate for the team in case of collapse and he can attack the opposition with cheeky strokes in the death overs. The Tamil Nadu batsman was KKR’s highest run-getter with almost 500 runs in 16 matches and will hope to extend the run.

#7 Andre Russell

Andre Russell

Andre Russell is a superstar in the T20 format. The West Indian all-rounder was serving a ban due to the doping violations but returned to the IPL 2018 in style. In the season, he scored 316 runs at a strike rate around 185. These included 31 mammoth sixes and 17 boundaries.

Not to forget, Russell gives you four overs with the ball also. He picked up 13 wickets in the 2018 edition of the IPL. Batting at number seven, he is a murderous proposition that can accelerate the total in a blink of an eye.