XtraTime Web Desk: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to begin from Saturday and ahead of that many former cricketers have predicted the winner of the season and the possible playing XI of all the teams. Former England skipper Micheal Vaughn has also joined the race and he has kept Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in front of all to win the title for third time.
The KKR management have retained Dinesh Karthik as the captain of the side, while the team has foreign players like Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan & Tom Banton among others. Even the Indian players’ lot is brilliant with them and it will be interesting to see if their investment in youngsters like Shubman Gill and Kamlesh Nagarkoti pays off this season.
On being asked about the winner of the cash rich league, Michael Vaughan lauded the depth the KKR has and backed them to win their third title. He also lauded KKR Coach Brendon McCullum who recently helped Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to win the CPL 2020.
“Kolkata Knight Riders (will win the IPL). Baz McCullum as a coach. I just think they’ve got enough, and with him coaching, he’s just won the Caribbean Premier League, as a coach. I just think he’s going to to have enough,” he said.
Michael Vaughan also reckons that they have plenty of players who can compete at the highest level during the IPL. He also felt that the most expensive bowler, Pat Cummins won’t get to play all the games with the pitches being on the slower side. However, the 45-year-old is of the opinion that KKR have some quality players who can help the franchise win the trophy.
“There’s plenty there for them to be competitive. Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Pat Cummins, probably won’t play all games, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana. Lots of quality in there. It might be that they don’t have enough power in their batting. But there you go. Kolkata Knight Riders are your IPL champions,” Vaughan signed off.