Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders begin their campaign this year by facing defending champions Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on September 23. KKR have a new captain in Dinesh Karthik who has done a decent job for the side in the last two years.
When they sat in the IPL 2020 auction this year, the KKR management was keen to plug the loopholes they had which prevented them from making it to the playoffs last year.
What is interesting about KKR is that they have a good mix of young and experienced players in the side. The need of the hour is just to find the right balance in terms of performance. They also have a different coach in Brendon McCullum, a former player of the side who will look to give KKR their third IPL title this year.
So ahead of KKR’s season opener, we take a look at 5 key players to watch out for this season for KKR:
1. Dinesh Karthik
For every team, their captain becomes the most important player in the side. It is he who takes the team forward with his decisions and guides the players when they need some advice. Dinesh Karthik really started well as KKR’s captain in 2018 taking the team to the playoffs.
He then tapered off a little next year as his decision making was questioned repeatedly. He did not make use of Andre Russell’s great potential with the bat and the potential of other key players in the side.
What he can count on is his experience and together with Russell and Eoin Morgan, Karthik makes the KKR middle-order looks enviable.
Harsha Bhogle in his preview of the side with Cricbuzz said that KKR’s envious middle order will put fear in other teams. It remains only to be seen if Karthik, Russell and Morgan can live up to the expectations of all Kolkata fans.
2. Andre Russell
Star all-rounder Andre Russell’s batting position was a subject of debate in the KKR camp throughout the season last year. He scored over 500 runs last year and could have scored more had he batted higher up the order.
KKR mentor David Hussey, however, has made it clear that the big-hitting West Indian will bat higher up the order this time around. Russel has been a vital cog in the KKR wheel for a few years now and it is important that KKR management gives him the freedom to express himself this season.
He scored 222 runs in the ongoing CPL season hitting 19 fours and 16 sixes in the process. His team Jamaica Tallahwas made an exit from the tournament after losing to Trinbago Knight Riders in the first semifinal.
3. Eoin Morgan
Mogan returns to KKR as a much-experienced player then what he was back in 2015. The England ODI and T20I skipper meanwhile achieved a lot as a player and also as a captain. He led England to their maiden World Cup win last year, which has been his biggest achievement as a cricketer so far.
At Kolkata Knight Riders, his role is no different. He is a part of the leadership group and KKR coach has made it clear that he will be the perfect ally for Karthik and will certainly be one of 5 players to watch out for in KKR.
Plus his form with the bat in recent times brings good news for the Knight Riders. Morgan along with Karthik and Russell will make KKR’s middle-order stronger than it was ever before. Plus, he also gives the batting order a lot of flexibility given that he can tonk the ball from the very start.
4. Pat Cummins
Like Morgan, Cummins is also making a comeback to the KKR side being a more experienced player internationally as well. In no time Cummins has become the spearhead of the Australian pace attack.
Cummins took 14 wickets in the 2019 ICC World Cup and looked a bowler who was difficult to be scored off. He also returns fitter and stronger than ever and also hungry to take wickets.
Cummins was a part of the Australian 21-member squad which was picked for the T20Is and the ODIs against England. At Kolkata, his role would be to give his team early breakthroughs. With him having injury issues in the past, it will be really interesting to see if he can play all 14 league matches for his side.
5. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav had an IPL to forget last year as he picked up just four wickets from 9 games. Moeen Ali took a special liking to him in of the matches hitting him for 27 runs in an over. Yadav was seen to break down into tears after the assault.
Thus this season is an important one for the left-arm leg-spinner personally. He will look to make the most of it by delivering some good performances. The youngster from Uttar Pradesh will be one of the 5 players to watch out for KKR.
With Piyush Chalwa gone, Kuldeep will pair up with Sunil Narine from one end. Both mystery bowlers Sunil Narine and Kuldeep can give the opposition batsmen some tough time in the middle.