Aakash Chopra believes the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Indian batting, led by the’red-hot’ Rinku Singh, is one of their strengths heading into IPL 2024.
Rinku (474), Nitish Rana (413) and Venkatesh Iyer (404) were the Kolkata franchise’s highest run scorers in IPL 2023. Their Indian batting has been strengthened by the return of Shreyas Iyer, who missed the previous season of the premier competition owing to a back ailment.
In a YouTube video, Chopra cited the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Indian batting as one of their strengths as they prepare for the IPL 2024.
“The first strength you see is the Indian batting contingent. They have Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh. Just think about it, four good Indian players who have all played for India.”
“Rinku Singh is in red-hot form. Shreyas Iyer is on a comeback trail. Venkatesh Iyer was also playing decently, he played well last year too, and Nitish Rana is a very good player. So that makes it four Indian batters.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra stated that KKR might select between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Phil Salt as the overseas hitter in their playing XI depending on the surface.
“That’s their biggest strength because if you prepare even slightly turning pitches, you need a batting lineup that plays spin well. If it’s a turning pitch, they might play Rahmanullah Gurbaz. If it’s a flat pitch, they might play Phil Salt.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra also mentioned that Andre Russell is in KKR’s bottom middle order. However, he admitted that the Jamaican all-rounder is no longer the two-time winners’ star, alleging Rinku Singh has taken over that position.
“The spin department is excellent” – Aakash Chopra on KKR’s other strength
Aakash Chopra selected the Kolkata Knight Riders’ spin-bowling depth as their second strength.
“So the Indian batting core is very good and the same is the case with the spinners. The spin department is excellent. You have Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Suyash Sharma and Anukul Roy.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator also mentioned that his old side boasts a diverse spin-bowling lineup.
“You have four good spinners, in whom all options are available. You have a leg-spinner in the form of Suyash, a mystery spinner in the form of Varun, Sunil Narine – another off-spinner or mystery spinner, and then you have got Anukul Roy, who can give you left-arm spin.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra mentioned that KKR also has Mujeeb Ur Rahman in their spin bowling lineup. He believes that the Afghanistan spinner may be added in the playing XI at Sunil Narine’s cost as needed.