IPL Preview - Best XI, Strengths, Weaknesses, Star Players & X-Factors and lots more of Each Team

Kolkata Knight Riders

DK will have the tough job of filling Gambhir's boots as a skipper

Squad

Piyush Chawla, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Mitchell Johnson, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Tom Curran, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Javon Searles, Ishank Jaggi, Cameron Delport, Chris Lynn, Vinay Kumar, Apoorv Wankhade, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh

Best XI

Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitesh Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Shubhman Gill, Andre Russell, Kamlesh Nagarkotti, Kuldeep Yadav, Tom Curran, Shivam Mavi

Strengths

Chris Lynn is a prove match winner at this level and his presence will be a big boost for KKR. Additionally, KKR have the guile of two top-class mystery spinners in Narine and Kuldeep Yadav at their disposal. The two possess the ability to run through most batting lineups.

Weaknesses

KKR were heavily relying on Mitchell Starc and his absence will have come as a big blow to them. Tom Curran is a fine replacement, but he is no Starc. Additionally, KKR will rely heavily on the stars from India's U19 World Cup win to deliver. There is no questioning their talent, but the lack of experience in the IPL could be KKR's undoing this season.

KKR will also miss Gautam Gambhir the skipper, who was instrumental in KKR's near rags to riches turnaround and led them to two IPL titles. Dinesh Karthik is a relative newcomer to a captaincy in the IPL and it remains to be seen how well he leads the players. Lastly, there are issues regarding the fitness of star batsman Chris Lynn. Lynn is a star, but whether he will be fit for the whole duration of the tournament remains to be seen.

Prediction: Could potentially push for the playoffs, but likely to narrowly fall short.