Analysing Kolkata Knight Rider’s picks in the VIVO IPL Player Auction 2021 and understanding their value, alongwith the what KKR needs to take care of.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 2 Time IPL Champions, and a team having had some closely lost chances in 2019 and 2020. After having gone through a change in coaching staff and also a captaincy change, 2021 might be KKR’s final chance to prove their current squad before the proposed Mega Auctions in 2021. KKR’s decisions in the 2021 Vivo IPL Auctions can be seen as a continuation of their strategy from the 2020 IPL Auctions. If seen as one single Auction, the two auctions actually define what KKR might be thinking.
The 2021 picks focused on strengthening the all – round and spin department, while showing trust in their Indian players, who will have more focused roles to play than the overseas players as the Indian players will be having to score those crucial runs and get those crucial wickets with the overseas pick signaling that KKR will probably be going with more dependency on their Indian players in at least one sector every match. How you ask?
Well, the picks that KKR have made in the auction (overseas players) are Shakib – Al – Hasan and Ben Cutting. Eoin Morgan is a confirmed part of the Playing XI as he is the captain of the side. Pat Cummins is going to play atleast 90% of the matches that KKR play, with him being the lead pacer and there being no other player, in KKR, to match his capabilities, even Lockie Ferguson who might just replace him in extreme cases of providing rest to Cummins for important matches. The chances of seeing both of them bowl in the same match is also not very high but might happen against teams such as DC and RCB.
The KKR spin department is a like collection of watches – they have gotten all kinds of them and can wear the ones they like as per the occasion. All kinds of spinners, pick as per conditions.
KKR have now gotten a formidable spin line – up. From Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, forming the mystery spin line up with Chakravathy being the more dangerous one at the moment, and the inclusion of Shakib – Al – Hasan, a part of the successful 2021 nd 2014 KKR campaigns, alongside the new pick – Harbhajan Singh and Kuldeep Yadav who can be taken advantage of, especially on larger grounds. And there is also another new pick – Pawan Negi. This spin s’quad’, well actually there are 6 people, is dangerous and is very effective as each of them has their own specialty and you could line up any of these two together based on the need, and even go with 3 spinners on pitches such as Chepauk. The inclusion of Shakib – Al – Hasan brings in that spin all-rounder who can replace Sunil Narine in a few matches as well, as Narine has been facing issues with fitness and suspicious bowling action. Shakib, since his return, has been at the top of his game and will boost the KKR bowling line up and act as that batsman that KKR have been trying to find in Sunil Narine.
Harbhajan Singh brings in the Indian experience in bowling off – break with Kuldeep also being a chinaman bowler. Harbhajan Singh has a lot of experience, and is never shy of hitting a bunch of runs. This spin line up required that experience from an Indian bowler and Harbhajan Singh bring that understanding of the game, but his fitness and performance will be remain in doubt until he plays his first match for KKR, and will probably not be a part of the First 2 picks for KKR.
And not to forget, Vaibhav Arora was also bought by KKR for his base price of INR 20 Lakhs. Someone you might have even forgotten about. He hasn’t played a lot of T20 matches but in the few that he has played, all on Indian grounds like the newly built Motera Stadium in Gujarat, he has proved himself. IN KKR, out of the Indian pacers, there is a lack of a very good wicket taking bowler who can bowl towards the batsman and utilise that new ball and old ball very well. Vaibhav Arora can do that. He can swing and angle that ball into the batsman, and also swing it late outside the batsman’s line. He adds that one less weapon, although not very refined, still adds that one missing weapon into KKR’s bowling line – up with his swing and stock length – back of length bowling in the corridor of uncertainty. And yes, as you might note, he is tall. But do not forget about Sandeep Warrier who is someone of similar strengths. These both can bowl well, are one of the best Indian fast bowlers KKR has got in the team at the moment, especially them being a bit more uncertain in how the will bowl, from the batsman’s view. They even have Prasidh Krishna who has shown some better performance than in some of older matces, in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Ben Cutting was another pick for KKR in the auction, and was a smart late pick. In the crowd of overseas all – rounder, especially with having an overseas captain, Ben Cutting will hope that the coaching staff focuses on him, cultivates him and helps him develop, basically do what Mumbai Indians have done with the Pandya brother and Bumrah. Will he be used like Tom Banton, i.e., tried in a couple of matches for his batting or bowling? With the likes of Shakib, and Karun now being included, it does not seem that Ben Cutting will necessarily find himself several opportunities but if KKR has a successful first few matches, trying Ben Cutting would not hurt.
KKR also bought in Karun Nair – whom you might know as the player who smashed England for 303 runs in a test match in Chennai and stayed Not Out. He has a decent T20 career as well. Why will KKR take a decent batsman into their squad? First of all, he wasn’t very costly. But after that, it becomes a little confusing. If he is their to only play the role of an opening batsman, wouldn’t it be better with the rising talent Rahul Tripathi or just go with the Rana – Gill combination and add Tripathi in the middle – order. Until and unless KKR use him(Karun Nair) as a full – time all – rounder he will not bring his total value, when you do have the likes of Rahul Tripathi, especially with regards to his form. It seems like his high time in cricket, was suppressed a bit by the lack of opportunities and now he doesn’t have that touch in T20 cricket, but this is based on stats about his recent matches and not his overall talent.
The Gill – Rana combination is not that great and that is why KKR are looking for that opener but just maybe Nair might not be that player, but who know. When players get a chance, they look to capitalize and Karun Nair will be gearing up to do it in a grand manner.
Other than that, they bought in Pawan Negi, Venkatesh Iyer and Sheldon Jackson. Sheldon Jackson brings in that Indian wicket – keeper, and is way better than Nair and Tripathi when it comes to form. He even scored a T20 century in January, 2021. Sheldon Jackson would be a way better opener, and the base he sets will definitely help remove some stress off the batsmen who come after him. And if DK’s performance goes further downhill in the IPL, Sheldon Jackson could replace him as the wicket – keeper. The best part being that Jackson also bats very comfortable when the ball comes close to his body,
One thing to remember, form does not matter if a person loses it or gains at the important time.
Pawan Negi, a fine pick but he adds to the Indian bowling arsenal at KKR. Venkatesh Iyer is a decent pick for an all – rounder and brings in that left – handed batsman that every team wants to have, atleast as a backup.
Overall, KKR have gotten a good squad and have good chances of performing better than their previous 2 seasons but may fall badly if they are unable to work out there Playing XI and keep the moral of their players high!
spielens 