Strongest Playing XI for Kolkata: Can Shreyas Iyer give team their third title?

Under the new leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Kolkata will be eyeing their third Indian T20 League title. They made it to the final last year but lost to MS Dhoni-led Chennai. This time around, they would expect the team to go all the way. Kolkata managed to get back a few players from last season, and they have some new faces as well. Here is the strongest playing XI for them.

Top Order

Alex Hales- A last-minute buy for Kolkata in the auction can prove to be a game-changer for them. Hales is a match-winner in his own rights and gives Kolkata a very good option at the top.

Venkatesh Iyer- Kolkata put in a lot of trust in this youngster as they retained him ahead of the auction, and deservingly so. He did wonders for them in the second half of the 2021 season and earned them a place in the final. Iyer at the top along with Hales makes up a destructive opening pair.

Shreyas Iyer- Iyer has been named the team captain but he is so much more than that. He bats very sensibly and gives the team a stable option at number three or four. 

Middle Order

Nitish Rana- Kolkata was unable to retain Nitish Rana but they did buy him back in the auction. He can be a floater but this position suits him well. He can stabilize the innings and finish off games when needed. Rana also brings in the bowling option.

Sheldon Jackson- Sheldon Jackson has been around Kolkata for a few years now but has had limited chances to take on the field. They do not have many wicket-keeping options thus can go with him, to begin with.

Andre Russell- The past few seasons have not been the best for Andre Russell but Kolkata have immense trust in him. They will have some big expectations from him this season and he will have to get his act together.

Pat Cummins- Pat Cummins was a steal for Kolkata in the mega auction as they got him for 7 crores. Many teams were expected to go after him but they got him in the end. He has not had the best run with them but that can change this time.

Sunil Narine- With Sunil Narine in the mix, their batting becomes very deep. His bowling has not been at the top since he revamped his action but he still gets a few wickets.

Lower Order

Shivam Mavi- Shivam Mavi has developed a lot since he has been with Kolkata and it can be seen on the field. He is not the most economical bowler going around and will have to keep his lines and lengths tighter to get even better results.

Umesh Yadav- Umesh Yadav too was a last-minute buy for Kolkata as they did not have another quick to complete their lineup. However, he is a strategic player and can get you wickets at any stage of the game.

Varun Chakravarthy- Varun Chakravarthy has earned a lot of respect in very little time as a mystery spinner. It is never easy to read what he will bowl next, which automatically puts him in the playing XI. He is very economical and always gets wickets.