Fit-again Chris Lynn bats in full flow as KKR gear up for IPL 2018

A well-recovered Chris Lynn was seen batting in full flow as two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) geared up for a fresh season with a practice match at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Only time will tell whether the absence of their most successful skipper, Gautam Gambhir, will impact KKR or not, but in new captain Dinesh Karthik (L) they will find a seasoned campaigner who feels he has matured enough to "get the best out of the team".

In the 11th edition of the cash-rich league, mystery spinner Sunil Narine, the IPL Player Of The Series in 2012, will lead KKR's spin unit that includes chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla.

Coming to the batting arsenal, besides Karthik and Robin Uthappa, the likes of big-hitting Australian Lynn, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and South African all-rounder Cameron Delport should lend their batting some might.

In 2017, KKR lost to eventual champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. The Jacques Kallis-coached side will at least look to make the playoffs as their first goal this time, according to their captain.