IPL 2022: CSK vs KKR- KKR Predicted Playing XI Against CSK, IPL 2022 Match 01

Kolkata Knight Riders lost the finals in IPL 2021 against CSK.  Now they are all set to take on each other in the opening encounter of IPL 2022. CSK vs KKR match will be a battle for ages. KKR will be waiting for redemption against the defending champions CSK. KKR is coming into the tournament with a new-look squad.

They have a new captain in the form of  Shreyas Iyer and KKR retained Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, and Varun Chakravarthy. They bought back Pat Cummins, Nitish Rana in the auction. The team boasts of good experienced players and is one of the favourites to win the title this year.

KKR has the luxury of having Indian International players in the squad. Ajinkya Rahane, Umesh Yadav, Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, and International capped players Mohmmad Nabi, Aaron Finch. Tim Southee, Sam Billings.

Kolkata could come in with a balanced squad with Indian heavy batting order and a foreign heavy bowling attack.

IPL 2022: CSK vs KKR- KKR Predicted Playing XI Against CSK, IPL 2022 Match 01

Shreyas Iyer (C)

After KKR bought in Shreyas Iyer for 12.5 CR, KKR named Shreyas Iyer as the captain of their franchise. Iyer has been a consistent performer in the IPL for the past 3 seasons scoring more than 300 plus runs. Iyer has scored a total of 2375 runs at a strike rate of 124. Iyer is a good player of spin and pace. Iyer has been in top form in the recently concluded international series as he scored 3 consecutive fifties against Sri Lanka.

Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer has been the golden boy for KKR in the last season. His aggressive approach at the top of the order and consistent performances made the franchise retain him in the auction. Iyer who made his debut in IPL 2021 has scored 370 runs in the 10 matches he played. His bowling has also come in handy for KKR. Iyer is expected to open for KKR in this season as well.

Ajinkya Rahane

The experienced Indian national has had a lack of opportunities in the last two seasons of the IPL despite him being a top performer in IPL. Rahane has scored 3941 runs in his IPL career and was bought for his base price of INR 1 CR in the auction. He is expected to open the innings alongside Venkatesh Iyer.

Sheldon Jackson (wk)

Jackson is a hard hitter and a very consistent performer in the Indian Domestic circuit yet got an opportunity in the big league. The departure of Dinesh Karthik meant that Jackson gets a chance as he is the primary option as a wicket Keeper. Jackson has scored a total of 1511 runs at a strike rate of 120.88 in his T20 career.

Nitish Rana

Rana was bought by KKR for a whopping INR 8 CR in the auction. Rana has been part of the KKR for 4 seasons. He is a versatile player and a sweet timer of the ball. He has scored 383 runs in the last season at a strike rate of 121.97. In his IPL carrier, Rana has amassed a total of 1820 runs at a strike rate of 132.45.

Sunil Narine

Narine has been the main man for KKR over the past decade. He has won two men of tournament awards and is a match-winner with both bat and ball. Narine has picked up 16 wickets and scored 62 runs in IPL 2021. He is in the list of top 5 wicket-takers in IPL scalping 143 wickets in 134 matches he has played.

Andre Russell

The big man was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL auction. Russell has been a match-winner for KKR over the years and won games single-handedly. Russell is off late has been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries. Russell has scored 183 runs and picked up 11 wickets in IPL 2021. in the last two seasons, Russell’s performance has been below par.

Pat Cummins

The Australian test captain loves playing for KKR. Cummins will lead the team bowling attack. Cummins has played only 7 matches in IPL 2021 and has scored 93 runs and picked up 9 wickets. Cummins was bought by KKR for INR 7.25 CR  in the auction. He is expected to be available for the entire IPL season this time around.

Tim Southee

One of the best swing ball bowlers in the world Tim Southee who was part of RCB previously was bought in by KKR in the auction for 1.5 CR. He hasn’t had much success in IPL picking up 31 wickets in the 43 matches he has played. Southee played 3 matches in IPL 2021 and picked up 3 wickets. The conditions at Mumbai will favor Southee’s type of bowling.

Shivam Mavi 

Mavi has been part of the KKR setup since his IPL debut. He was bought back to KKR in the auction for 7.25 CR. Mavi picked up 11 wickets in IPL 2021 maintaining an economy of 7.24. He is a capable batsman down the order and a good bowler who bowls fast and hits a good length on are regular basis.

Varun Chakravarthy

The mystery spinner of IPL was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL auction. Chakravarty was one of the leading wicket-takers as a spinner. He picked up 18 wickets at an average of 24.88. In his short IPL career, Chakravarty has troubled MS Dhoni and a few other international stars. He has picked up a total of 36 wickets in his IPL career.