IPL 2018: Four Potential Captains for Kolkata Knight Riders

After a highly intense couple of days of the auction, the two-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders have finally got their new team chalked out which lacks a strong middle order.

In case of injuries, it would be pretty difficult for KKR to make a replacement at such a stage. The first XI, however, looks pretty settled and solid, and if everyone is fit for the majority of the tournament, KKR will stand in good stead and look to clinch their 3^rd title of the year.

They decided against retaining their former skipper Gautam Gambhir, and hence they would have to select a new skipper. None of the players has been the regular skipper of their countries nor any franchises.

However, the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Robin Uthappa have the experience of captaining their state sides. The squad also boast of some exceptional players and captaincy can be handed to any one of them

Here are four probable candidates who might take up captaincy for the Kolkata Knight Riders this season.

Dinesh Karthik

He is one of the prime contenders for taking up the captain’s role for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has the experience of leading Tamil Nadu and given he is one of the most experienced players in the team, Karthik will be the favourite to lead the team. He had bagged a whopping contract of Rs 7.6 crores, and KKR will be hoping that he leaves up to the expectations.

Karthik has to play the role of a finisher, as the middle order lacks too much experience and in case of injuries, the team might be in trouble.

Robin Uthappa

The Kolkata Knight Riders have retained Uthappa by the Right to Match services for a whopping Rs 6.4 crores, and given Gautam Gambhir won’t be captaining the unit, Uthappa has a realistic chance of getting the role of the captaincy primarily because there are not too may captaincy materials in the team.

He is a sensational batsman and had amassed 388 runs in the previous edition. He can demolish any bowling attack and also has the leadership abilities which might work in his favour.

Andre Russell

The two-time champions have also retained the all-rounder from the Caribbean. He is an asset to any team and can turn any match on its head with his whirlwind strokeplay.

He can smash sixes on a consistent basis. However he hasn’t been in the best of forms in the recent times, but given his prowess, KKR decided to retain the all-rounder. He is also a pretty good bowler and can easily give his captain four good overs on most occasions.

Given his experience and fewer captaincy materials in the team, he might well be a contender to take up the captaincy.

Chris Lynn

The KKR unit has retained the star batsman from Australia, and given his abilities to smash the ball all around the park; it was an expected call by the two-time champions.

Lynn set the tournament ablaze last year but had to miss a major part of the tournament owing to an injury. However, he recovers successfully from being part of the team in the Playoffs. He is a dasher and can literally take any bowling attack to the cleaners. He is a fantastic fielder and given the leadership abilities he might be a contender for captaincy.