Former Indian batter and cricket pandit Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on the potential playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for upcoming IPL 2025, starting on March 22. Chopra offered two different combinations—one with Sunil Narine opening and one without him.
As the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders will look to build on their title-winning success. Sunil Narine’s role at the top order could be a key factor in their strategy.
The West Indies all-rounder was instrumental in KKR’s title triumph last season, finishing the tournament as their leading run scorer with 488 runs at a blistering strike rate of 180.74.
Aakash Chopra picks two playing XIs for Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025
However, the cricket pandit suggested an alternative approach where Ajinkya Rahane can open with Quinton de Kock for the KKR. This would allow the defending champions to include an additional batter like Angkrish Raghuvanshi or Manish Pandey at No. 3, followed by Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine in the upcoming IPL 2025.
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Chopra picked Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Spencer Johnson in his bowling attack with Vaibhav Arora or Anukul Roy available as impact sub options for the Kolkata side. The commentator also suggested another lineup where Narine will open alongside Quinton de Kock, pushing the newly appointed KKR captain Rahane to No. 3.
This change would see Venkatesh Iyer move to No. 4, followed by the middle order comprised of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh. Chopra went with Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakaravarthy, and possibly Anukul Roy or another player depending on match conditions in his bowling attack.
Aakash Chopra urges KKR to play fearless cricket in IPL 2025
Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra believes that Kolkata Knight Riders should play an aggressive brand of cricket, using their batting strength to go all out till the end in the upcoming IPL season. He suggested that opening with Sunil Narine gives them the freedom to attack from the start.
The cricket pandit also highlighted the importance of winning home matches, as KKR’s strong spin attack could be a game-changer on batting-friendly pitches at the Eden Gardens. Additionally, Chopra feels Harshit Rana’s rise will be a major boost for the team this season.
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Go really hard right till the end with the bat: Chopra’s message to Ajinkya Rahane and Co.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “Go really hard right till the end with the bat because you have a lot of ability to hit, and if you open with Sunil Narine, you have the license to thrill and just go for the kill. They do have the batting might. So, I feel they will keep hitting continuously.”
Chopra signed off by saying, “Win all your matches at home. The spin variety they have creates a difference in the end in batting-friendly conditions. So, their strategy could be to play on flat pitches. The rise of Harshit Rana will help them. He has added another dimension to their bowling attack.”
Aakash Chopra’s first probable KKR XI:
Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton de Kock, Angkrish Raghuvanshi/Manish Pandey, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Spencer Johnson.
Aakash Chopra’s second probable KKR XI:
Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakravarthy, and Anukul Roy/someone else.
