2019 IPL auction: Players whom KKR should acquire in December
Kolkata Knight Riders released 8 players in the IPL trade window and need some serious reinforcements in key areas. The Dinesh Karthik-led side have retained 13 core players and will be depending on these names to deliver yet again. But what KKR lack is depth in batting and pace bowling. And expect them to focus on these two areas in December's auction in Goa.
13 players retained by KKR
How does KKR's batting line-up look?
KKR are short in batting and need added depth in the opening positions as well as the middle order. With Chris Lynn likely to play a shorter role given his national duty, Knight Riders need someone to play alongside Sunil Narine in the early stages and also post May 1. They also need an experienced head in the middle order.
Should KKR go for McCullum atop?
Brendon McCullum was released by RCB after just one season at the franchise. The former Kiwi international has loads of experience in T20 cricket and knows the tournament in and out. Baz can be a good option to open the innings. He has played with both Lynn and Narine for the Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL. Further, he will be available throughout the campaign.
Woakes could be a superb addition as well
Chris Woakes thrived for KKR in 2017 when he picked 17 wickets for them. He was bought by RCB last season but was released quite surprisingly. Woakes is a superb all-rounder. He is a regular for England across all formats. With Andre Russell's fitness an issue, Woakes could add depth in the starting line-up. He can play alongside Russell but can also replace him.
KKR need work in the pace department
The pace battery of KKR, at the moment, needs work. They are well settled in the spin department and doesn't need any new face there. Youngsters Prasidh Krishna, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi are the pacers at their disposal alongside all-rounder Russell. They have let go off three front-line foreign pacers in the window. And now need a premier bowler or two.
Mustafizur Rahman is a key option to look at
Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur was released by MI after just one season. The player had an important role in SRH's title winning campaign in 2016. He had picked 17 wickets that season. In IPL 11, he ended up with 7 scalps from 7 matches he played. Fizz is pivotal at the death and could solve that area for KKR. He could lead the attack.
Other key options in pace and salary cap available
KKR will have several options in the auction. Some of they key names, they could target besides Fizz are, Plunkett, Laughlin and Brathwaite. The trio are available and have valuable T20 experience. One should remember that KKR have Rs. 15.20 crore in salary cap available. Therefore, if they can get 2-3 big players early within Rs. 12-13 crore, that would help them to breathe.
