KKR | Cricket Outlook

Which players were retained by KKR in IPL 2024?

Aditya Bhagchandani — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:14:48 +0000

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) entered the IPL 2024 auction with a large purse of ₹32.7 crore after releasing the highest number of players ahead of the season. With a revamped management and a change in captaincy, KKR aimed for a fresh start while retaining a core group of players to build around.

Players Retained by KKR in IPL 2024: KKR retained 12 players for IPL 2024, including key names such as Shreyas Iyer, who missed IPL 2023 due to injury, and star all-rounder Andre Russell. They also held onto emerging talents like Harshit Rana, who was their second-highest wicket-taker in the previous season.

Shreyas Iyer (Batter) – ₹12.25 crore
Nitish Rana (All-rounder) – ₹8 crore
Rinku Singh (Batter) – ₹55 lakh
Venkatesh Iyer (All-rounder) – ₹8 crore
Sunil Narine (All-rounder) – ₹6 crore
Varun Chakravarthy (Bowler) – ₹8 crore
Suyash Sharma (Bowler) – ₹20 lakh
Andre Russell (All-rounder) – ₹12 crore
Jason Roy (Batter) – ₹2.8 crore
Anukul Roy (Spinner) – ₹20 lakh
Vaibhav Arora (Bowler) – ₹60 lakh
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicket-keeper) – ₹50 lakh
Harshit Rana (Bowler) – ₹20 lakh

Players Released by KKR in IPL 2024: KKR released a number of players ahead of the 2024 season, including seasoned cricketers like Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, and Umesh Yadav, signaling a shift in team dynamics.

Tim Southee (Bowler)
Lockie Ferguson (Bowler)
Litton Das (Wicket-keeper batter)
Kulwant Khejroliya (Bowler)
Shakib Al Hasan (All-rounder)
Umesh Yadav (Bowler)
Mandeep Singh (Batter)
Narayan Jagadeesan (Wicket-keeper batter)
David Weise (All-rounder)
Johnson Charles (Wicket-keeper batter)
Aarya Desai (Bowler)
Shardul Thakur (All-rounder)

KKR’s Auction Purchases for IPL 2024: KKR made notable acquisitions during the IPL 2024 auction, including the high-profile signing of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc for ₹24.75 crore. They also brought in players like KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, and Manish Pandey at affordable prices.

KS Bharat – ₹50 lakh
Chetan Sakariya – ₹50 lakh
Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore
Angkrish Raghuvanshi – ₹20 lakh
Ramandeep Singh – ₹20 lakh
Sherfane Rutherford – ₹1.5 crore
Manish Pandey – ₹50 lakh
Mujeeb Ur Rahman – ₹2 crore
Gus Atkinson – ₹1 crore
Sakib Hussain – ₹20 lakh

KKR’s strategy for IPL 2024 focuses on a balance between retaining key performers and integrating fresh talent to maintain their competitiveness.

IPL 2025: KKR likely to offload Mitchell Starc ahead of mega auction?

Aditya Bhagchandani — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 18:27:18 +0000

As the IPL retention rules for 2025 are officially out, discussions have begun on which players teams will retain. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may have a tough decision on their hands, as they look to balance their squad for the upcoming auction. A standout performer in the last IPL season, Mitchell Starc’s future with KKR is now in question.

KKR had a successful campaign last season, with each player performing consistently in their roles, helping the team find a settled combination early on. However, the mega auction forces teams to make difficult retention choices, and KKR may have to break their winning combination by releasing some key players.

Will KKR Retain Starc for IPL 2025?
Former India pacer RP Singh believes KKR might release Mitchell Starc ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Speaking on Colors Cineplex, RP Singh shared that Starc’s performances, especially during the regular league stage, might influence this decision. “They will not have the temptation of Mitchell Starc, that’s what I feel, because even last year, he made an impact only in the big matches, and his recent performances have not been that good either,” RP Singh commented.

In the last IPL season, Starc took 17 wickets in 13 innings, with an average of 26.12 and a strike rate of 14.76, including a four-wicket haul. While his performance during the league matches was less impactful, he came alive during the playoffs, delivering crucial match-winning performances for KKR. Despite his strong showings in knockout games, the inconsistency throughout the league stage might make it difficult for KKR to justify retaining him under the new retention rules.

With the mega auction set to shake up the teams, it remains to be seen whether KKR will retain Starc or look to invest in other players to build a balanced and competitive squad for IPL 2025.

Top 5 most expensive buys for KKR ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

Aditya Bhagchandani — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction around the corner, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning champions, are ready to make bold moves. KKR has a history of daring purchases that have shaped the team’s fortunes over the years. Here is a look at their top five most expensive acquisitions in auction history.

1. Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore (2024)
Mitchell Starc became not only the most expensive buy for KKR but also the costliest player in IPL history during the 2024 auction, being purchased for ₹24.75 crore. However, the Australian fast bowler faced challenges throughout the season, struggling to find his form and failing to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.

2. Pat Cummins – ₹15.5 crore (2020)
Another high-profile Australian, Pat Cummins, was bought by KKR for ₹15.5 crore in the 2020 auction. Cummins had a decent run that season, picking up 12 wickets in 14 matches. Interestingly, in the 2024 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired him, making him the second-highest paid player in IPL history.

3. Gautam Gambhir – ₹11.04 crore (2011)
A key figure in KKR’s history, Gautam Gambhir was picked up for ₹11.04 crore in 2011. Gambhir’s influence was monumental, leading KKR to their maiden IPL title. His role didn’t end there; as a mentor for KKR in 2024, Gambhir guided the team to another championship victory before moving on to coach the Indian national team.

4. Yusuf Pathan – ₹9.66 crore (2011)
Yusuf Pathan, known for his explosive batting and handy bowling, was purchased for ₹9.66 crore in 2011. Pathan proved to be a match-winner for KKR, contributing to their victorious campaigns in both 2012 and 2014, cementing his place as one of the franchise’s key players.

5. Chris Lynn – ₹9.6 crore (2018)
KKR secured the services of Chris Lynn for ₹9.6 crore in the 2018 auction. Lynn brought significant value to the team with his power-hitting, amassing 1,274 runs at an average of 34.43 and a strike rate of 141.40 over 40 matches. He quickly became one of the standout players for the team during his tenure.

These significant purchases have played a crucial role in shaping KKR’s journey and success in the IPL. As the mega auction approaches, KKR will once again look to make strategic decisions to maintain their championship-winning form.