2-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be vying to become only the third team in the history of the Indian Premier League to win three IPL titles when they kickstart the 15th edition of the lucrative T20 league under the leadership of Indian star Shreyas Iyer.

Ever since their opening game in the inaugural IPL edition, KKR have been a promising side and also the winners of two IPL titles (2012 and 2014 under captain Gautam Gambhir), but it’s been a long time since the Kolkata-based franchise made it to the top. With the great IPL auction that KKR had, it’s their time to shine again.

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After letting go of former captains Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata roped in Shreyas Iyer, indicating a long-term plan. However, it remains to be seen how Shreyas leads the team and pays off the trust and freedom entrusted by the KKR management. KKR head coach Brendon McCullum has also asserted that the side will play a positive brand of cricket this season under new captain Iyer.

Shreyas, who led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020, has a good cricketing brain and has proved his skills as a leader during his stint as the DC captain. Notably, the star India batter was bought by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the mega auction last month and then the team management named him skipper ahead of pacer Pat Cummins, who leads the Australian Test side.

Team Composition

Kolkata unearthed a fine young talent in the form of Venkatesh Iyer last year and, given the kind of form he displayed at the top, he is all set to open the innings for the side in IPL 2022. However, KKR have to find a suitable opening partner for Venkatesh after the exit of Shubman Gill. The veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane could be a viable option alongside Venkatesh with captain Shreyas Iyer slotting in at No.3 and Nitish Rana batting at No.4.

England wicketkeeper Sam Billings, West Indies all-rounder duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell and Australia pacer Pat Cummins could be the four overseas players. KKR have a lineup that is more than capable of causing all kinds of destruction on its day. If Cummins is absent, the trio of Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav and Shivam Mavi could form part of the pace bowling contingent for the two-time IPL champions.

Key Players

Andre Russell: The West Indies all-rounder has been a key part of the KKR squad over the past few seasons, having helped them win matches with his deadly bowling and muscle-man power hitting in the T20 format. He is, undoubtedly, the most dangerous and match-defining batsman in the KKR squad. It is certain to say, all eyes will be on him during the upcoming season when knocking on the door.

Shreyas Iyer: The KKR captain has been known for performing the role of a perfect anchor. Iyer spent a considerable amount of time away from the game last year due to a shoulder injury, but he’s back scoring runs in the Indian team now and will be eager to prove a point or two. In fact, if it wasn’t for that injury, he may well still have been leading Delhi Capitals as of today. He led DC to the IPL 2020 final and was a consistent performer for them.

Also, Sunil Narine has been a world-class player and an IPL great, while Venkatesh Iyer and Varun Chakravarthy are two of the most talented T20 players in India who came in on the back of impressive campaigns last year. Add Pat Cummins into this mix and KKR have six sure-shot match-winners in their ranks.

Possible Playing XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, 8. Shivam Mavi, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy and Umesh Yadav

IPL 2022 will kick start from March 26 with KKR taking on defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the first match of the season.