IPL 2020 auction: Kolkata Knight Riders should target these players
The IPL 2020 auction is all set to be held in Kolkata on December 19, with as many as 971 players slated to go under the hammer. Considering former IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), they have released as many as 11 players. With an auction purse of Rs. 35.65 crore, we analyze the players they can target during the auction.
The English T20I leader could return to his IPL home
The English T20I captain and a former Knight might not have the best figures in the tournament. However, considering his recent performance, he has been impressive. While he scored 371 runs in 11 matches at an average of 41.22 in the ICC World Cup 2019, he scored 192 runs in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a strike-rate of 193.93.
An incredible Aussie with a lot to offer
If there is a pacer KKR have to target, it has to be Andrew Tye. And the reason for that? Remember IPL 2018? He finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker, playing for Kings Xi Punjab (KXIP), claiming 24 wickets in 14 matches. Although he under-performed last season, his experience, along with the ability to bowl yorkers and change variations, could fancily aid KKR.
A much-needed bowling all-rounder in the form of Chris Jordan
KKR did raise eye-brows by releasing all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, who played just a couple of matches, scoring 11 runs and claiming no wickets. Nonetheless, if KKR choose not to re-own him, England's Chris Jordan could be a viable option. Besides healthy batting, he claimed seven from five matches in CPL 2019 and had an economy of 8.22 in the 2019 T10 league. Remarkable again!
The rising star from the Caribbean deserves a chance
We have to admit that Windies pacer Sheldon Cottrell is one of the rising stars from the Caribbean. Following a good show at the World Cup, he continued his spree in the CPL, claiming 12 wickets in just eight matches, at an economy of 7.83. He continued the same against Afghanistan in India recently, which is sure to make KKR go for him.
The local lad who can do wonders for KKR
While he generally prefers playing the longer format, Abhimanyu Easwaran has done well for Bengal in the limited-overs as well. As he averages around 50 in First-Class and List A, he has a decent average of 33.64 and a strike-rate of 131.19 in T20s. With the ability to accelerate, he can act as a cover to an attacking batsman. Not a bad option.
