Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc will be remembered as two of the most impactful signings in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) history. Their contributions were pivotal in transforming a team that finished seventh in IPL 2023 into the IPL 2024 champions, securing a title after a 10-year gap.
Salt, brought in as a last-minute replacement for Jason Roy, who withdrew from the tournament, helped resolve KKR’s long-standing wicketkeeping dilemma. Not only did he provide explosive starts in the powerplay alongside Sunil Narine, but he also impressed with a total of 435 runs in 12 innings.
His consistency helped stabilize the team, setting the tone for the rest of the squad. Meanwhile, Starc’s fiery bowling in both the powerplay and death overs added another layer of strength, making a perfect complement to Salt’s steady performances.
The Australian left-arm pacer initially faced criticism due to his high price and slow start to the season. However, he delivered key performances in KKR’s most important matches, transforming the team’s pace attack and mentality.
Despite this, KKR couldn’t retain him for the IPL 2025 auction, and it remains uncertain whether other teams will let them re-sign him. On that note, here are the three key players KKR should focus on in the IPL 2025 auction:
#1 Arshdeep Singh
KKR may hesitate to bid for Starc again, as his standout playoff performances aren’t sustainable over a full season. The team needs a more consistent player who can lead, perform throughout the season, and mentor young pacers in key roles like powerplay and death bowling.
Arshdeep Singh, with consistent performances and match-winning ability, is a top option for KKR. At 25, he’s nearing his peak and has proven himself as a leader in the PBKS attack, making him a smart investment.
At KKR, Arshdeep would be the ideal partner for Harshit in the death overs, allowing the young pacer to focus more on middle-overs enforcer duties. Though he won’t come cheap, with nearly every team vying for him, KKR should not hesitate to spend ₹15-17 crore to secure the left-arm quick.
#2 Mohammed Shami
If Arshdeep is out of reach, KKR should seize the chance to sign Mohammed Shami, especially since it would be a perfect opportunity to bring him back to West Bengal, where he started his career.
Shami would provide similar leadership qualities to Arshdeep, likely at a lower cost, and with added emotional value for fans. He’s already familiar with Eden Gardens, having taken six wickets in four IPL matches, and most recently, he bowled a superb 2-18 spell against South Africa in the 2023 World Cup.
With his injury issues likely behind him after an extended period away from the game, KKR might even land him at a discounted price if other teams are cautious. Given his 28 wickets last season and consistent performance in recent years, it would be a smart move.
#3 Jos Buttler
After Arshdeep, KKR should consider investing heavily in Jos Buttler during the IPL 2025 auction. Despite not being at his best in 2024, Buttler still managed two centuries, including one against KKR’s title-winning attack at Eden Gardens.
The right-handed batter has scored 276 runs at an average of 69 and a strike rate of 169.33 at the ground. He would offer more experience and reliability against spin compared to Salt, without sacrificing powerplay hitting, innings-building, or his leadership qualities.
Buttler’s arrival would maintain the balance of KKR’s top order, and he could also be a potential captaincy candidate (having led England to a T20 World Cup victory), or at the very least, provide valuable leadership support to the new skipper, making any potential high cost worthwhile.
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