IPL 2019: Ranking the middle order batsmen of the 8 IPL teams

#6 Kolkata Knight Riders

Dinesh Karthik

Possible middle order options available for Kolkata

1. Robin Uthappa

2. Nitish Rana

3. Dinesh Karthik

4. Shubman Gill

5. Rinku Singh

6. Nikhil Naik

While the Chris Lynn - Sunil Narine opening combination will look to pile up some quick runs, Robin Uthappa at No. 3 will have the responsibility of stabilizing the top order. Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill can be expected to follow, constituting the middle order for Kolkata Knight Riders. Andre Russell will likely make up the final piece of the puzzle.

Backups in the form of Rinku Singh and Nikhil Naik might not be high profile names, but could be good enough to do the job.

Trouble might arise when Lynn leaves for international duty and if Robin Uthappa has to go to the opening slot. In that case, Kolkata might have to introduce Joe Denly in the lower middle order to compensate for Lynn. Even if Denly goes in as an opener, it wouldn't be the same as having Lynn out there.

Overall the middle order of KKR looks good, but the Lynn uncertainty might take a toll on the team.