IPL 2022: First Choice 4 Overseas Players Of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) For The Tournament

Kolkata Knight Riders bought 21 players at the IPL 2022 mega auction and completed a well-rounded squad of 25 players heading into IPL 2022. They added the likes of Umesh Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane, Sam Billings and Tim Southee in the dying moments of the auction. The additions thus added some more muscle to their squad which seemed to be lacking at one point.

The franchise retained Andre Russell and Sunil Narine and added six more overseas players to their team. The team is not looking very good on paper. However, it still has enough depth and options to look forward to. In this article, we take a look at the four overseas players who might play in the KKR playing XI.

IPL 2022: First Choice 4 Overseas Players Of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) For The Tournament

Alex Hales

Hales provides an attacking option as an opener at the top of the order. He and Venkatesh Iyer can very well complement each other due to their different styles of play. Iyer was a revelation for KKR last season in the UAE leg which is why he was retained as one of the four players. Hales opening the batting also extends KKR batting order a bit with Ajinkya Rahane, Nitish Rana, Sam Billings and Andre Russell to follow.

Also Read: Suresh Raina Names 4 Batsmen Including An Uncapped Player Who Can Solve India’s Middle Order Woes

Sam Billings

Billings and Sheldon Jackson are the two wicketkeeping choices that KKR have. Choosing between the two will be a big ask for the franchise. Billings is a proven T20 specialist all over in various T20 leagues. The addition of Jackson can then allow KKR to field Pat Cummins in their playing XI as well. He did not have a good season for KKR in 2021 and did not return to play in the UAE leg as well.

Sunil Narine

Narine is a no-brainer in KKR’s playing XI. He is a must-have in the XI whatever the bowling conditions. He will take wickets on every kind of surface and can contribute with the bat as well. He provides flexibility to the KKR batting line-up and can open the innings as well if required. He is inching closer to 1000 IPL runs and has taken 143 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Andre Russell

Russell and Narine pick themselves in KKR playing XI. When he is fit, Andre Russell can be a big asset for KKR. He can be an absolute matchwinner with the bat and ball for his side. However, the biggest concern with him is his knee injury which even kept him out of the IPL 2021 final. If that is the case, KKR can use Chamika Karunaratne or Pat Cummins as per the conditions and situation.

Also Read: IPL 2022 Auction: 5 Highest Bids By Chennai Super Kings (CSK) In IPL Auction History