Kolkata Knight Riders' all time XI

One of the most iconic and successful teams in the history of Indian Premier League is Kolkata Knight Riders. The side from the ‘City of Joy’ is a two-time IPL champion and their aggressive brand of cricket entertained the cricket fans across the globe.

Under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, KKR won the IPL trophy twice in 2012 and 2014.

KKR is the team that gave a glimpse of the IPL to the whole world in their first match itself. Bolstered by Brendon McCullum’s 158, they slammed 222/3 in 20 overs against Royal Challengers at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which made both the team and the league an overnight hit.

Here are the legends of the team who have made the cut into their all-time XI. The list includes players who have had a positive impact on the team through their performances and have played at least 2 seasons for the franchise.

Note: The team consists of seven Indian cricketers and four foreigners.

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#1 Gautam Gambhir (Captain)

Best captain for KKR

Gautam Gambhir has been consistent throughout his career for Kolkata Kight Riders. He also led the team in an exemplary way, leading them to two trophies in 2012 and 2014. The Delhi lad is the highest run-scorer in the history of the Kolkata-based IPL franchise.

In the IPL matches that he has played for the 'Men in Purple and Gold', Gambhir has stacked up 2739 runs at a phenomenal average of 30.77. Along with this, he has scored 25 half centuries for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

#2 Sourav Ganguly

The Bengal Tiger

The poster boy of both Indian Cricket team and Bengal cricket has played in and captained the Kolkata based franchise. Sourav Ganguly has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders from 2008 to 2010.

Ganguly scored 1031 runs at an acceptable T20 average of 28. He is the fifth highest run-getter for KKR and has scored 7 half centuries for them, with his highest score being 91.

#3 Robin Uthappa (WK)

Robin Uthappa won the Orange Cap in 2014

One of the captaincy candidates for KKR this year, Robin Uthappa has been phenomenal in Knight Riders' journey in the IPL. Uthappa joined the SRK based franchise in 2014 and in the same year KKR got the silverware. Uthappa is easily the most versatile player in the side.

Uthappa, in 58 matches that he has played for KKR, has scored 1806 runs with an average of 30+. In the first season, he racked up 660 runs with an average of 44 and a devastating strike rate of 137.78.

#4 Jacques Kallis

Can he replicate his success as a coach for KKR?

The former South Africa international and one of the best all-rounders in the history of world cricket, Jacques Kallis has been one of the most important players for the Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2014.

Playing for KKR, he has scored 1295 runs in 56 matches before retiring from the league. He has scored ten half-centuries for the 'Men in Purple and Gold’ and has picked up 48 wickets with his best figures being 3/13.

#5 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey was a batting mainstay

Manish joined KKR in 2011 after his stints with Royal Challengers Bangalore and now defunct side, Sahara Pune Warriors. He went on to become one of the key players for the squad not only because of his explosive batting but also due to his electric fielding.

The Karnataka batsman has scored close to 1800 runs in 82 matches with an impressive strike rate of 130+. He almost single-handedly won the Knight Riders their second Indian Premier League, by playing a match-winning knock in the Final against the Kings XI Punjab in 2014.

#6 Yusuf Pathan

The big hitter smashed 72 in 22 deliveries for KKR in 2014

Yusuf Pathan has been one of the most loyal and longest-serving cricketers in the history of the 'Men in the Purple and Gold'. Since joining the team in 2011, he has played the second most number of matches for KKR, just behind Gautam Gambhir.

In 106 matches that he has played for KKR, he scored 1893 runs with 7 half centuries. He boasts of an impressive strike rate of 140+ and a decent average of 29.63.

Yusuf is also a handy part-time bowler to have in one's team. He has not only picked up 23 wickets for the Kolkata Knight Riders but also exhibits an impressive economy rate of 7.33.

#7 Shakib Al-Hasan

The world's No 1 all-rounder brought his skills to KKR as well

The current No 1 all-rounder in limited overs format of the game, Shakib joined the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side in 2011. The fourth highest wicket-taker in the history of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Al-Hasan has picked up 43 wickets in the 43 IPL matches that he has played for the ‘Purple and Gold’ brigade.

Shakib Al Hasan has scored 498 runs with a decent average of 21.65 with a strike rate of 130.36.

#8 Morne Morkel

Morne Morkel was at his lethal best

The Proteas player joined KKR in 2014 with a bag of experience, having previously played for Delhi Daredevils. With 32 wickets in 29 matches, he also took no time in establishing himself as one of the best bowlers KKR ever had.

With a fierce speed and ability to hit the deck hard, Morne Morkel was instrumental in KKR's title win in 2014. Morkel played his last match for Kolkatta Knight Riders in 2016. His haul of 2 for 20 remains his best figures, which was in 2015.

#9 Piyush Chawla

The Indian discard has been retained by KKR for 2018

Piyush Chawla has gone on to become one of the most important players for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side since he joined in 2014. Chawla lived up to his reputation with the help of match-winning performances over the past couple of years.The 29-year-old bowler has picked up 42 wickets in 44 IPL matches for the 'Men in Purple and Gold'.

He has the economy of 7.63 which is a treat for any captain. His best figures for KKR is 4 for 32, which was back in 2014.

#10 Sunil Narine

The mystery spinner has turned around KKR's fortunes

This ‘mystery spinner’ from the Caribbean took IPL 2012 by storm and terrorised batsmen across all teams with his unique skills. Picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders after a successful 2011 CLT20 for Trinidad & Tobago, Narine finished IPL 2012 as the Player of the Tournament with 24 wickets.As a result of his spectacular performances, he was retained by the franchise ahead of 2014 auction.

In the previous season, he proved that he can be a match-winner with the bat also. He piled up 224 runs in 16 matches with a demolishing strike rate of 172.30. He also boasts the record of scoring the fastest half-century in IPL, which came against RCB in 12 balls.

Being one of the prominent captain candidates for Kolkata Knight Riders, Narine would want to live up to the team's expectations this year as well.

#11 Laxmipathy Balaji

Laxmipathy Balaji was a silent hero

The 35-year-old former Indian fast bowler has been the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the history of the Eden Gardens based franchise. The Tamil Nadu man had picked up 44 wickets in the 42 matches that he played in, with an impressive economy of 7.62.

Balaji's 4 for 18 against the RCB back in 2012 remains his best bowling figures for KKR in IPL.