Kolkata Knight Riders could be dealt a major blow as the captain of the 2022 edition Shreyas Iyer might miss the first half of the tournament due to a reoccurrence of a back injury. He did not bat in the first innings of the 4th Test match at Ahmedabad because of that.
KKR appointed Shreyas Iyer as the captain during the 2022 edition of IPL. His absence will be a major blow as he was impressed with the bat scoring 401 runs from 14 matches with 3 half-centuries to his name including the best score of 85. Iyer has been ruled out of the 3-match ODI Series against Australia starting from 17 March.
Here we look at the 3 replacements if Shreyas Iyer is ruled out of the tournament:
Mohammed Azharudden
Mohammed Azharudden is an explosive wicketkeeper batter who could be an ideal option for Kolkata Knight Riders. He plays for Kerala in the domestic circuit. During the 2023 auction, his base price was 20 Lakhs but the franchises were not interested in buying him.
Azharudden bought Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the 2021 auction but did not get a chance to play any game. Known for his attacking abilities, he has played so far 39 T20 matches ( 36 innings) and scored 741 runs with a career-best score of 137 not out at a strike rate of 134.23.
Azharudden provided a brilliant display of batting with 37 ball century against Mumbai in the 2020/21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match. His utility could be important that Kolkata Knight Riders needed with their batting.
Jagadeesha Suchith
Jagadeesha Suchith is another good option that Kolkata Knight Riders could bid for. He is an all-rounder that plays for Karnataka in the domestic circuit. Suchith was set a base price of 20 Lakhs but no franchise was interested in buying him. Sunrisers Hyderabad decided to release him before the auction.
Suchith featured in just 5 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2022 edition of IPL and grabbed 7 wickets at an economy of 7.78 runs per over. The left-arm spinner played for Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL history.
Suchith has played 22 matches and picked up 19 wickets so far in IPL history at an economy of 8.60 runs per over. While batting, he has scored just 56 runs from 22 matches. Suchith could be an ideal option with his hitting abilities, great fielding, and ideal spin option bowling stump to stump line.
Priyam Garg
Priyam Garg leading India to ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2020 was not bought by any franchise during the mini-auction in December. He had a base price of Rs 20 Lakhs. Garg played for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Garg was given just 2 matches in the 2022 edition of IPL. He registered his highest score of 42 during the 2 matches he featured with a strike rate of 139.39. He played entire 14 matches during the 2020 edition of the IPL with 133 runs from 14 matches with the best score of 51 not out.
He plays his domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh. With Kolkata Knight Riders lacking options of too many quality batters, Priyam Garg could be considered.
Garg has played 44 T20 matches (37 innings) and scored 601 runs with 3 half-centuries to his name at a strike rate of 115.35.
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