IPL 2017: KKR stood at the number fourth position in last year’s IPL. The first setback which the team faced was losing Andre Russel to an anti-dope code violation. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate issued a show cause notice to the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah Rukh Khan, his wife Gauri Khan and Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla for violating FEMA guidelines. In terms of the team, KKR has tried to fill the pacer spot by bringing in players like Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Umesh Yadav, in fine form, also adds to the formidable bowling line-up of the team. Captain Gautam Gambhir, will bank upon his spinners Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, and the recent sensation Kuldeep Yadav, especially at their home ground Eden Gardens. There is still a question mark on Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan’ inclusion, but in the absence of a power hitter in the squad after Russel’s departure, Gambhir will have to bank on them. But the most important part will be Gambhir’s own form in IPL 2017.

Full Squad:

Existing Players: Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Robin Uthappa, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Lynn, Umesh Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson, Ankit Singh Rajput.

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Players Bought: Trent Boult (5 Cr), Chris Woakes (4.20 Cr), Rishi Dhawan (55 Lakh), Nathan Coulter-Nile (3.5 Cr), Rovman Powell (30 Lakh), R Sanjay Yadav (10 Lakh), Ishank Jaggi (10 Lakh), Darren Bravo (50 Lakh), Sayan Ghosh (10 Lakh).

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Key Players:

Gautam Gambhir: The Delhi Ranji team captain has come into good form pretty late in the domestic season. He would be leading and guiding the team from the front again this season, shouldering most of the responsibility.

Kuldeep Yadav: The 22-year-old lad has been into the national limelight with his star turn into last Test against Australia on debut. Shah Rukh and co. would be hoping he can carry forward this momentum into the IPL for the men in purple and gold.

Shakib-al-Hasan: The leading all-rounder in the world of Test cricket, will again be the vital cog in both the batting and bowling machinery department. With the absence of Andre Russell, his performances will hold the key to KKR’s fortunes this season.

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List of matches:

Match 1: Gujarat Lions vs KKR, April 7, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 2: Mumbai Indians vs KKR, April 9, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 3: KKR vs Kings XI Punjab, April 13, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 4: KKR vs SRH, April 15, 2017, 16:00 IST
Match 5: Delhi Daredevils vs KKR, April 17, 2017, 16:00 IST
Match 6: KKR vs Gujarat Lions, April 21, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 7: KKR vs RCB, April 23, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 8: Rising Pune Supergiant vs KKR, April 26, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 9: KKR vs Delhi Daredevils, April 28, 2017, 16:00 IST
Match 10: SRH vs KKR, April 30, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 11: KKR vs Rising Pune Supergiant, May 3, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 12: RCB vs KKR, May 7, 2017, 16:00 IST
Match 13: Kings XI Punjab vs KKR, May 9, 2017, 20:00 IST
Match 14: KKR vs Mumbai Indians, May 13, 2017, 20:00 IST