Credit: IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the third-most successful team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning the title three times. After witnessing disappointment in the initial four seasons, Kolkata lifted the trophy in 2012 and since then, there is no turning back for the Knight Riders. Noting 17 years of Knight Riders in the cash-rich league, it’s essential to talk about players who made this side an iconic one.
Discussing more about them, let’s discuss KKR’s greatest playing XI.
1. Brendon McCullum
Back in 2008, when IPL started, Brendon McCullum delivered a scintillating start to the tournament with his unbeaten 159 off 73 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Riding on the New Zealander’s innings, Kolkata registered their biggest win (by runs). He was also part of KKR’s maiden title win in 2012.
2. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir served KKR from 2010 to 2017 and during his stint as captain, KKR won two titles remarkably. In 2012, Kolkata lifted their maiden trophy and Gambhir led the side from the front. In 17 matches, he amassed 590 runs at a strike rate of 143.55 and ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the tournament.
3. Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey can be called an unsung hero of KKR’s IPL 2014 success. The right-handed batter chipped in with 401 runs in 16 matches. In the final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Bengaluru, he struck 94 off 50 to help his team emerge victorious with three wickets in hand.
4. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa played an instrumental role in KKR’s second title win in 2014. He contributed 660 runs to his team while appearing in 16 matches. With these numbers, the right-handed batter also became the Orange Cap winner.
5. Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan played a crucial role in KKR’s title victory in 2014. With 262 runs in 12 innings of 15 contests, he made a vital contribution with the bat. In the must-win game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens, he hit an unbeaten 72 off 22 to help Kolkata bag a four-wicket win and qualify for the playoffs.
6. Andre Russell
Andre Russell has been associated with Kolkata since 2014 and in these 11 years, he has done a phenomenal job for the side as an all-rounder. With the bat, he has racked up 2546 runs and picked 122 wickets in 134 matches. He was also an important member of the team that won the 2024 IPL title.
7. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine has been a member of KKR since 2012 and his presence impacted the team positively in 2012 and 2014. In both title triumphs, the spinner ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker.
8. Piyush Chawla
Piyush Chawla delivered his service to KKR from 2014 to 2019 and during those five years, he did a superb job for the team with the ball. He bagged 76 wickets in 71 matches for Kolkata. In the 2014 final against PBKS, he also guided KKR to a three-wicket win with his match-finishing innings of an unbeaten 13 off five.
9. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav served KKR from 2014 to 2017 and also was part of the team in 2022 and 2023 editions. During his tenure in Knight Riders, he took 65 wickets in 68 matches at an economy of 8.44 and is currently the fifth-highest wicket-taker for the team in the tournament.
10. Lakshmipathy Balaji
Lakshmipathy Balaji did a sensational job for KKR in their 2012 win. With his pace bowling, he chipped in with 11 wickets in eight matches at a thrifty economy of 5.40.
11. Varun Chakaravarthy
KKR won their third title in 2024 and in the notable success, Varun Chakaravarthy proved his worth with the ball. He clinched 21 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 8.04 and concluded the season as the second-highest wicket-taker.
