IPL 2019: Strongest playing XI of each of the 8 franchises

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR will try to continue its impressive performance this year as well

Kolkata Knight Riders were touted as the weakest squad ahead of 2018 IPL and that was due to the lack of bench strength in the batting line-up, but the youngsters and some experienced players performed at their best to overcome this defect.

The team would open with Narine and Lynn this year as well. Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik and Nitish Rana will form the middle order which will have to shoulder the burden of the entire team.

Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will be the team's all-rounders and both will have a major role to play this year as well. Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav will be the other spinners in the side. Lockie Ferguson will be the team's tearaway fast bowler who will lead the attack along with Prasidh Krishna.

Strongest Playing XI: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik (C&WK), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson and Prasidh Krishna