The Kolkata franchise, renowned for its stellar performances in the Indian T20 League, has twice clinched the coveted title, marking them as one of the tournament's most successful teams. Despite their early title wins in 2012 & 2014, Kolkata has been on a quest to recapture the trophy in recent years.
With the 2024 season on the horizon, their strategy for this upcoming season was highlighted during the auction, where they made headlines by acquiring the services of Australian speedster Mitchell Starc for an astonishing price.
The team further bolstered its lineup with the addition of Sherfane Rutherford, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Manish Pandey, Chetan Sakariya, Srikar Bharat, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sakib Hussain, and Ramandeep Singh. With a plethora of talent at their disposal, it will be interesting to see who makes the cut into Kolkata’s playing XI.
At FanCraze, we take a look at Kolkata’s probable playing XI for the 2024 edition:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)/ Phillip Salt
Making his league debut with Kolkata in 2023, Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz played 11 games, scoring 227 runs at a strike rate of 133.53. With the challenge of maintaining consistency and the competition from Phillip Salt, Gurbaz will look to put in impactful performances, aiming to cement his position as a leading opener for Kolkata.
Brought in as a replacement for Jason Roy, Phil Salt has been in prolific form in recent times. While Gurbaz is the primary choice for the opening slot, Salt's impressive performances make him a formidable contender, ready to step up if Gurbaz falters.
Venkatesh Iyer
Since debuting for Kolkata in 2021, Venkatesh Iyer has become an indispensable part of the team. In 36 matches, he has scored 956 runs at a strike rate of 130.25. His performance in 2023, scoring 404 runs in 14 games, including a century, highlights his importance in the powerplay overs and his capability as a part-time bowler.
Shreyas Iyer (C)
Returning as Kolkata's captain after missing the 2023 season, Shreyas Iyer will aim to lead the team to victory, drawing on his post-injury form, including scoring 530 runs in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. His leadership and batting are going to be crucial for Kolkata's ambitions to end their trophy drought.
Nitish Rana
Serving as the stand-in captain in 2023, Nitish Rana led Kolkata to finish seventh. However, his batting remained effective, scoring 413 runs in 14 matches. With Shreyas Iyer resuming captaincy, Rana can focus on his batting, and contribute significantly in the middle order.
Rinku Singh
Emerging as Kolkata's top scorer in 2023 with 474 runs in 14 matches, Rinku Singh has solidified his position as a finisher. His aggressive batting earned him a debut in India's white-ball cricket, and he is expected to continue his role as a key player for Kolkata in 2024.
Andre Russell
Despite a quiet 2023 season with only 227 runs, Andre Russell's historical impact for Kolkata is unquestionable, amassing 2,269 runs over ten years. Known for his explosive batting and death bowling, Russell will aim to rediscover his form in 2024, contributing as a vital finisher for the team, both with bat and ball.
Sunil Narine/ Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman/ Sherfane Rutherford
With an underwhelming performance in 2023, capturing only 11 wickets in 14 games, Sunil Narine will look to make amends in 2024. As Kolkata's highest wicket-taker in the tournament, Narine's experience and skills are pivotal for the team's success, especially in tightening the bowling attack.
Acquired at the 2024 auction, Mujeeb Ur Rahman brings a wealth of international experience to Kolkata. With a track record of 19 wickets in 19 matches, his last tournament appearance was in 2021. Known for his mysterious spin, Mujeeb could play a crucial role in Kolkata's bowling lineup, especially as a strategic backup for Sunil Narine, should the West Indian struggle to find form.
Picked during the 2024 auction, Sherfane Rutherford is set to add depth to Kolkata's all-rounder contingent. His versatility in both batting and bowling offers Kolkata a valuable option in balancing their squad composition.
Mitchell Starc
Making a high-profile return to the league after a nine-year hiatus, Mitchell Starc was snapped up by Kolkata in the 2024 auction for a record-breaking sum. With an impressive track record of 34 wickets in 27 matches at an economy rate of 7.17 in the tournament, expectations are sky-high for the Australian pace spearhead. His recent performances, including crucial roles in Australia's 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup knockout matches, have only heightened anticipation for Starc to lead Kolkata's pace attack.
Chetan Sakariya
Tasked with complementing Mitchell Starc, Chetan Sakariya was acquired by Kolkata at the 2024 auction. After a promising start in the 2021 season with Rajasthan Royals, capturing 14 wickets in 14 matches, his form tapered off, leading to his release from Delhi Capitals. Sakariya's challenge in the 2024 season will be to rediscover his form.
Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy, Kolkata's leading wicket-taker in the 2023 season with 20 wickets in 14 matches, will continue to be a pillar of the team's spin attack alongside Sunil Narine. With 61 wickets in 55 matches for Kolkata, Chakravarthy's leg-spin has been instrumental in the team's strategy as it offers variety and control.
Suyash Sharma
After making his debut in 2023, Suyash Sharma picked up 10 wickets in 11 matches, showcasing his potential. With the 2024 season ahead, Kolkata will expect him to build on his debut year performance. His recent exploits in the domestic circuit, including 18 wickets in seven matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, suggest he's ready to take his game to the next level.
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