IPL 2020: 3 players KKR might release ahead of the next season

IPL 2020: 3 players KKR might release ahead of the next season

Kolkata Knight Riders

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a strange Indian Premier League 2020. At times they looked unstoppable while at other times they looked less than ordinary. This was a season of a plethora of chopping and changing for them. Despite a strong start to the season, their inconsistency led to them being beaten to the playoffs at the post by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

This was also the season where KKR changed captains mid-way through the tournament. Dinesh Karthik decided to step down from captaincy after winning 4 matches out of the first 7. He passed over the baton to Eoin Morgan. The change didn’t exactly work wonders as KKR won only 3 matches under Morgan. However, Morgan was terrific with the bat since being appointed as captain while Karthik disappointed with the exception of one ‘Man of the Match’ performance.

Coached for the first time in their history by Brendon McCullum, the team’s balance, combination and batting order changed a great deal as KKR looked for that one combination to click. However, they found it difficult to work it out. Having said all this, it was by no means a bad season for KKR. They might have finished 5th and missed out on the playoffs, but they played good cricket and were in contention for the playoffs till the very end.

There were a lot of positives for them to take. Their Indian batters like Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana (in a few matches) came good. Their young Indian seamers like Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Prasidh Krishna impressed. It was the only overseas superstars like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine who couldn’t quite hit the form they are known for. With the next IPL looming already due to the delayed start to this year’s IPL, KKR might decide to release a few players to free up funds at the auction. Here are three players they might release:

Sandeep Warrier

Sandeep Warrier

Kerala pacer Sandeep Warrier was picked by KKR in the 2019 auction for his base price of 20 lakhs. Since then, the 27-year-old has played only 2 matches for his side. This year he was included in the playing XI just once and the pacer was hit at an economy in excess of 11.

Warrier was subsequently dropped and it now seems that the fast-bowler will find it difficult to get into the KKR playing XI again. With the likes of overseas stars like Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson at KKR’s disposal along with promising young Indians like Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Prasidh Krishna, Warrier will probably be better off at a team where he might get picked in the playing XI. For this reason, he might be released by KKR.

Nikhil Naik

Nikhil Naik

25-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Nikhil Naik was picked by KKR in the 2019 auction for his base price in order to have a second wicketkeeper as cover for Dinesh Karthik. The burly Maharashtra cricketer has gone on to play just 2 games for his franchise since then and clearly seems surplus to requirements at the side.

In the one match that Naik played this season, he ended up getting out of a poor lofted shot for a score of just 1. With the addition of Tim Seifert and the already picked Tom Banton (who might be released however), a wicketkeeper slot might as well be considered surplus. Therefore, Naik might be released from KKR.

Tom Banton

Tom Banton

Englishman Tom Banton had lit up the Australian Big Bash League and English T20 Blast. He has already made his debut for England and is considered one of the hottest prospects in T20 cricket. Usually an opener, Banton can also play in the middle order. This year for KKR, Banton could play only two matches for his side. He didn’t shine in both.

Banton could very well have come good, had he played in all KKR matches. But with the overseas slots all but sealed by the likes of Eoin Morgan, Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, he is unlikely to be a regular feature in the KKR XI. For that reason, KKR might consider releasing him to free up funds and potentially get a talented Indian batsman.

Also Read: 3 players CSK might release