It all started in 2008. Teams were formed and the competition was ready to take a step ahead. On 18th April the first game took place between KKR and RCB. KKR already had a big fan base behind them. The love for Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan was enough for the people to get behind the Kolkata franchise. Brendon McCullum stole the show on the inaugural day of the competition. His score of 158* still remains the second highest score by an individual in the IPL. However, it took five seasons for KKR to reach the finals and win the trophy. It was a series of changes and some big signings which turned out to be the key to success for the team. Kolkata still remains one of the most successful teams in IPL and their theme song 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re' is definitely one of the best. KKR have won the trophy twice and have some really talented players in their squad.
We are here with a series of IPL Dream Teams wherein we will be making All Time XIs of the current eight teams in IPL. During this venture, I am being assisted by Raunit Raj and Amit Vikram Singh who have immense knowledge in the field of cricket. We have gone through every player of each team and tried to pick the best of the lot after considering their statistics and performances for the team. We started with Mumbai Indians then had a look at Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals. Now we bring to you the All Time XI of Kolkata Knight Riders.
*Statistics of the players are only for their KKR career (both in IPL and Champions League)
1. Gautam Gambhir (c) (2011-17)
Gauti is one of the signings that I was talking about before. He became an important element of the team and carried KKR to new heights. He had a great contribution for the team both as a batsman and a captain. He is the highest run getter of the franchise and was even the captain of the team when they won their IPL trophies.
Innings: 121 Runs: 3345 Average: 31.26 S/R*: 124.72
*S/R - Strike Rate
2. Robin Uthappa (2014-19)
Robbie was awarded with Orange Cap when the team won the title in 2014. Uthappa too had been an important part of the team and had continuously performed for the team. He is the second highest run getter of the team and has an incredible strike rate of 135.
Innings: 86 Runs: 2649 Average: 31.53 S/R: 135.84
3. Jacques Kallis ✈️ (2011-14)
Kallis enjoyed great success with both bat and ball with RCB. He was later picked by KKR and the South African showed the same class. An all-rounder like Kallis is a blessing for the team. He provides balance to the side and his experience will help the team. He is the highest run getter by a foreigner for the team.
Innings: 67 Runs: 1603 Wickets: 48
4. Manish Pandey (2014-17)
Manish Pandey makes the cut to a team for the second time in this series. Pandey is one of the few players who can build your innings as well as explode at the end. Pandey has scored at an average of 32 for the team and is making a place above Manoj Tiwary.
Innings: 57 Runs: 1442 Average: 32.77 S/R: 126.82
5. Yusuf Pathan (2011-17)
Another Player who makes to the team for the second time in this series. Pathan is an all rounder who loves hitting the ball and can even provide with some overs of spin. For KKR, Pathan is the third highest run getter. He is chosen over Surya Kumar Yadav.
Innings: 103 Runs: 2061 Average: 30.3 S/R: 135.94
6. Dinesh Karthik (wk) (2018- )
The current captain of KKR had big shoes to fill in when he was replaced as the captain of the team in 2018. He has shown some good batting skills in the past couple of years. He has an excellent strike rate of 147 and an average of 41.
Innings: 29 Runs: 751 Average: 41.72 S/R: 147.25
7. Andre Russell ✈️ (2014- )
Russell has developed so much that he can win you games with both bat and ball. He has the ability to hit the ball in any part of the ground plus bowling at a decent speed. He has a strike rate of 188 and was even the most valuable player of the season, last year.
Innings: 52 Runs: 1407 S/R: 188.35 Wickets: 56
8. Sunil Narine ✈️ (2012- )
Some might argue to have Sunil Narine at the opening spot. This is certainly because Narine has transformed himself into a good all rounder by contributing with some fireworks in the beginning of the innings. His bowling skills are definitely one of the best in the world. One of the biggest finds of the IPL as some say, Narine is the highest wicket taker for the franchise.
Matches: 119 Batting S/R: 167.46 Wickets: 140 E/R*: 6.56
*E/R- Economy Rate
9. Piyush Chawla (2014-19)
Many remember Piyush Chawla for hitting the winning shot back in 2014. He has the second highest wickets for the franchise and one of the most decorated spinners in the IPL. He makes to the side above Kuldeep Yadav.
Matches: 76 Wickets: 71 E/R: 8.24
10. Morne Morkel ✈️ (2014-16)
Many would not agree with the inclusion of Morne Morkel in the side. KKR had Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar and Chris Woakes as some of the foreign pace bowlers in their side but their numbers don't look that impressive. Morkel has 32 wickets in 29 games with a decent average of 27.
Matches: 29 Wickets: 32 E/R: 7.80
11. Umesh Yadav (2014-17)
Umesh Yadav is the second highest wicket taker by an Indian for the franchise. Yadav has pace and swing which might surprise a few. He has the ability to bowl some very good spells at times. He makes the cut above Lakshmipati Balaji.
Matches: 48 Wickets: 48 E/R: 8.67
Do tell us if you have had any other player in mind who might have found a place in the XI. This is the sixth article of our IPL Dream Team Series. We have two more to go. Stay Tuned. Keep Reading Openions!
- Kshitij
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