IPL 2021: Predicted starting lineups for Kolkata Knight Riders vs SunRisers Hyderabad

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all set to kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign, with a match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai on Sunday. Head-to-head records between the two give KKR the advantage, with 12 wins out of 19. Eoin Morgan will be hoping that his Knights are able to extend the advantage over the Orange Army. While Eoin Morgan is a World Cup-winning captain, he is yet to lead a side on to IPL glory, something that Warner has achieved with the SunRisers. The Australian will have a wide range of overseas players to choose from, but that can also be a dilemma. He could opt for a strong batting lineup comprising him, Jason Roy, Jason Holder and Jonny Bairstow, but Chepauk’s turning track might sway him to go for Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi or Mujeeb ur-Rahman instead.

KKR’s dilemma would lie in their Indian spin bowling attack. They have a choice among Kuldeep Yadav, Harbhajan Singh and Varun Chakravarthy. With Shakib Al Hasan or Sunil Narine almost certain to start, it is unlikely for them to go with more than one Indian spinner.

Here are the predicted starting lineups for both teams:

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

David Warner (Captain): One of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, Warner is someone who can rout any bowler in the world on his day. He has been a rock at the start of the innings for Hyderabad for years. The Australian scored 548 runs in the previous edition of IPL with his highest score being 85. He will hope to ensure an explosive start for his team.

Jonny Bairstow: The Englishman was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded ODI series between India and England. Bairstow scored 219 runs in three innings with an average of 73. He is one of the most mature and composed batsmen in the game right now and has the ability to stabilize an innings.

Manish Pandey: As if their top order already was not strong enough, Manish Pandey is likely to join the fray to make it even more unnerving for the KKR bowlers. Pandey scored at an average of 32.69 last season, scoring 425 runs with the highest score being 83.

Kane Williamson: The Kiwi is arguably New Zealand’s best batsman across all formats of the game at the moment. When it comes to technique with the bat, very few can rival his style and finesse. Williamson scored 317 runs in 12 games for the SunRisers last season, with an average of over 45.

Vijay Shankar: The all-rounder did not have a season to remember last time around. He played seven matches, scored 97 runs and picked four wickets. However, Warner knows that he is an asset to the team, who can excel in both departments and create problems for the opposition.

Abdul Samad: Although Hyderabad are starved when it comes to Indian spinners, Abdul Samad can be entrusted to do a decent job. While he may share his overs with Vijay Shankar, Samad can slow down the opponents’ run rate. Samad is further excellent with the bat. 

Wriddhiman Saha (WK): Arguably one of the most under-rated cricketers in recent history, Saha is as consistent as they come. His capabilities behind the stumps are enviable. As a batsman, he can play the role of a power hitter or an innings anchor as per the team’s requirement.

Rashid Khan: If it is a turning pitch like Chepauk, there is no one more deadly than the Afghanistani maestro. The spin-wizard picked 20 wickets in the previous season with an outrageous best bowling figure of 3/7. He can also be extremely handy as a power hitter, playing those much-needed cameos to lift his team’s score.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: David Warner will be looking forward to having his marquee fast bowler back in the side, after an injury dented his previous IPL season. Bhuvneshwar’s return to action against England was a clear sign of the bowler getting back to his best. The movement in his deliveries was exceptional and consistent, and Hyderabad will be hoping that he carries that form into the IPL. 

T Natarajan: Natarajan was Hyderabad’s breakout star last season after an unbelievable tournament earned him caps for the national team against Australia. Natarajan picked 16 wickets last IPL and will be looking to continue where he left off from day one.

Sandeep Sharma: Sandeep showcased an impressive bowling display last season, accounting for 14 wickets in 13 games, with a best of 3/34. He has delivered consistent performances for several seasons now, and will be hoping to do the same against KKR.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

Shubman Gill: KKR is a team that saw several breakthrough performers last season. Probably the biggest name on that list is Shubman Gill. An upcoming opening batsman with the potential to be an all-time great, Gill’s poise and tenacity won him his first India cap recently, and his outstanding 440 runs in last year’s IPL is reason enough for him to be a starter.

Rahul Tripathi: A batsman who can play literally almost anywhere in the batting order, Rahul felt like the perfect answer to KKR’s opening pair issues. He scored 230 runs in 11 games last season with the highest score being an outstanding 81.

Nitish Rana: Slightly inconsistent, but an absolute beast when he gets going, Rana has consistently scored over 300 runs in every single IPL season since 2017. His career-best score of 87 came last season, and KKR will be looking forward to more of the same from the 26-year-old.

Eoin Morgan (Captain): Not just any captain, Morgan is a World Cup-winning one. He is also an incredible batsman and fielder who scored 418 runs last season with an average of over 40. It would be interesting to see how he navigates his first full season as a KKR skipper.

Dinesh Karthik (WK): A veteran of the game, Karthik has been part of the IPL for several years. Although he is yet to win the competition with KKR, he is an invaluable asset beyond the stumps and with the bat. Being captain of the franchise for so long, Karthik understands the players and may prove to be a valuable advisor to Morgan.

Shakib Al Hasan: One of KKR fans’ most loved players due to the Bengali connection, Shakib is easily one of the best all-rounders in recent history. His ability with the ball, especially on a pitch like Chepauk’s, will be interesting to watch. The all-rounder is versatile with the bat as well since he can hit a few out of the park or hold an innings together, or both. 

Andre Russell: Kolkata’s destroyer-in-chief, Andre Russell can take a game away from any opposition in the blink of an eye. He might not have had a season to remember in 2020, but who can forget IPL 2019 when Russell, as a middle-order batsman, scored 510 runs. He is quite efficient with the ball as well, picking up wickets at crucial times. 

Pat Cummins: The Australian pacer had a slow start to his campaign last time around, but he still managed to pick up 12 wickets with the best figures being 4/34. He also wowed the world when he scored an unbeaten 53 for the Knight Riders.

Prasidh Krishna: Yet another KKR player to recently receive an India cap, Krishna became the first-ever Indian bowler to take a four-wicket haul on his ODI debut. Despite his below-par IPL performance last season, he would still be a part of the starting lineup.

Varun Chakravarthy: The leg-spinner took the IPL by storm last season, taking 17 wickets in 13 games for the Knight Riders. Chakravarthy will be looking to make the most of the Chepauk pitch and get his team over the line in the opening match

Shivam Mavi: A young fast bowler, Mavi finally got his opportunity to really shine in the IPL last season. The youngster took nine wickets in eight games and will be looking to get off to a positive start.