Kolkata Knight Riders finished fifth in IPL 2020 winning seven and losing seven games this season. On the way, Dinesh Karthik stepped down as the captain and Eoin Morgan was selected as the new skipper of the side. Though he batted well, he failed to lead the team well and in the process, the weakness of the team was exposed.
Not having a solid opener, a proper number three and a reputed finisher at the end were the three big concern areas for KKR this season. With BCCI announcing full auction ahead of next season, a franchise can retain a maximum of five players. Meanwhile, we take a look at the possible options for KKR in these three areas.
Here is a look at 3 players KKR Might Target in IPL 2021:
Chris Lynn
Chris Lynn was released by KKR ahead of the IPL 2020 auction. Mumbai Indians bought him for 2 crores at the auction but did not give him a game. Rohit Sharma and Quinton De Kock was a settled opening pair at the top and the management did not want to disturb that.
With KKR struggling to get runs from their openers throughout the season, buying Lynn back would solve the problem. Lynn was previously with KKR between 2014 to 2019 scoring over 1000 runs for the franchise. He formed a formidable partnership with Sunil Narine at the top. If he returns, KKR can go back to them at the top of the order.
Also Read: No Clarity Over Rohit Sharma’s Fitness-Sanjay Manjrekar
Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was also with KKR between 2011 to 2017. In the meantime, he played his best cricket in the IPL and produced match-winning performances. With Kolkata looking for a finisher with the dipping form of Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell, Shakib can be the ideal man for the job.
His experience of playing international cricket for Bangladesh can help him excel at this job. Along with his abilities with the bat, KKR can benefit a huge amount from his left-arm spin as well. Shakib coming in will also bolster the Kolkata spin attack with Narine, Varun and Kuldeep in the side.
Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan Returns To Cricket After Ban
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan can be an ideal wicket-keeper-batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders as they would like to look beyond Dinesh Karthik in the next season. Karthik had his worst IPL season with KKR which also implied to his dipping form in cricket. Even if they decide to persist with Karthik, Kishan can be a good back up option for the side only if he turns up in the auction.
Both of them can even play together with Kishan batting at three in place of a struggling Nitish Rana and Karthik at four. With possibly, Morgan, Shakib and Russell to follow, that would just add depth to KKR’s batting line-up.
Therefore, keeping in mind the loopholes that KKR need to fill ahead of the next IPL, the above-mentioned players are the best options among the 3 players Knight Riders might target ahead of next season.
Also Read: Nathan Lyon Unhappy With Virat Kohli For Skipping Test Series