IPL 2019: Rating the batting lineup of each team

Kolkata Knight Riders

Rating- 7/10

Expected Batsmen to make it to the Playing XI: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana and Dinesh Karthik

DK did the bulk of the scoring last season

The Kolkata Knight Riders have always picked out a squad which met their requirements and didn't go all out to draft big names into their side. This time though, the lack of known names in the top order might be a problem for the team. Chris Lynn hasn't been in good form the past year. Sunil Narine is evolving as a batsman but his short presence at the crease doesn't help the other batsmen in any way.

Robin Uthappa hasn't been seen much in the domestic circuit and was doing commentary for some time and if he's rusty this season too, then skipper Dinesh Karthik will have problems on his hand to deal with.

Though they possess a good squad, it almost always DK or Nitish Rana who stood at the crease while wickets fell around them. Shubman Gill will certainly be used more this season and it's a positive sign but the lack of backup players or alternatives can hit them hard this season.