IPL 2020: 3 Players From KKR Who Can Help Them Win The Title

In the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the most high-profile side in the competition. Owned by Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla and captained by former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, there were great hopes from the side.

However, despite Brendon McCullum kicking off the IPL with a belligerent 158 not out, KKR ended up 6th out of 8th.

They continued to disappoint in 2009 and 2010 as well as finishing 8th and 6th respectively.

Under Gautam Gambhir’s inspirational captaincy in 2012, KKR won their maiden title, and after a disappointing 2013, in which they finished at 7th position, the franchise captured their second crown in 2014.

The last half a decade has been an up and downtime for KKR. They ended at the fifth position in 2015 and 2019, and made it to the playoffs for three consecutive years — from 2016 to 2018 — but failed to go all the way.

Meanwhile, ahead of the 2020 edition, we figured out three cricketers, who can win it for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

3. Dinesh Karthik:

Of course, the skipper holds a lot to make things fall in place. After being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders, Dinesh Karthik was handed the captaincy job in his first season by the franchise. He was their leading run-scorer in the first season and will have to lead by example once again if the team want to achieve their targets this season.

Karthik left many fans impressed with his captaincy skills. Although they exited the tournament without reaching finals, they announced to the world that they should not be taken lightly.

Karthik is also the first choice wicket-keeper of the team. He will have to lead from the front, score runs and will also have to continue his job behind the stumps if they want to perform well and regain that trophy which they have previously won twice.

2. Pat Cummins:

Pat Cummins Not a lot of 14-15 crore buys have worked for IPL teams in the past. But Pat Cummins bought for ₹15.5 crores by KKR in the recent auction, is not like most others. The Aussie is arguably the best bowler in the world right now and has been in tremendous form in the last 12 months.

Cummins will be leading KKR’s bowling attack as KKR hardly boasts another big name in the bowling department.

The 26-year old has picked up 17 wickets in 16 IPL games so far but a lot has changed since then. Cummins has become the most complete bowler since his last IPL game a few years ago. The right-arm fast bowler will face a challenge of bowling on Indian pitches though, where he will have to prove his worth.

1. Andre Russell:

As always Andre Russell will once again hold the key for Kolkata Knight Riders. Russel is capable of hitting big sixes and destroying any bowling attack on a given day.

He has been a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders in the past seasons and has frequently helped the team reach big scores. He will have to perform consistently if Kolkata wants to repeat their heroics from 2012 and 2014.

Russell is also used as a bowler who gives them more options, especially at the death. He is an excellent fielder who gives his 100% when he is fielding.

Russell is going to be an important player who will decide how many games Kolkata Knight Riders win this season.

The fans will surely look forward to his aggressive batting, effective bowling and sharp fielding when he steps on the field.