Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are one of the most successful sides of the Indian Premier League. After a rough start to the competition, the squad from Kolkata came back strongly with two quick IPL titles. Although since then, they have been away from the trophy, with the current team they have, the waiting time may not be long-drawn.
It’s always a slippery relationship between a player and a franchise. Be it the four-foreigner rule or the retainment formula, a few factors never allow a player to fully settle in a franchise. Hence, we have been witness to several scenarios where a player gets just a game or two to showcase his skills for a franchise. This is despite the player having accomplished fabulous things for his country or any other IPL franchise.
In this article, we talk about four famous players who have just played one game for KKR in IPL.
1. Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin has played just the one encounter for KKR in IPL. Although he has also played for the outfit in the Champions League, it is surprising that the Aussie wicket-keeper has just one match to his name in IPL for KKR.
This game occurred in the 2011 edition when KKR took on Royal Challengers Bangalore. Haddin opened the batting for his side along with Jacques Kallis. The wicket-keeper could manage 18 runs off 11 balls, a knock that included two boundaries and a sixer. After this encounter, Haddin never found way his back to the purple-and-gold XI.
2. Azhar Mahmood
Pakistan all-rounder earned the eligibility to play in IPL after qualifying for the citizenship of England. The player’s first assignment in IPL was with Kings XI Punjab, with whom he spent a couple of seasons. However, in 2015, he moved to KKR.
Representing the team which was then led by Gautam Gambhir, Azhar Mahmood could just play one game. In that particular encounter against Rajasthan Royals, the player could score just six runs off the bat while he gave away 41 runs in three overs without picking any wickets. It was a dismal show, and that was his final game for KKR.
3. Darren Bravo
Darren Bravo was part of KKR for some time. In 2017, the West Indian also got a chance to play a game. However, that was the only encounter that Darren was able to play for the Kolkata-based unit.
In the battle against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, KKR was chasing a stiff target of 183. Robin Uthappa helped the side begin the chase well. Although he got out, he had set up KKR for the target. Darren Bravo came in and scored six runs from five balls to help his side close the game. After that encounter, Darren did not get any other opportunities with KKR.
4. Mashrafe Mortaza
Mashrafe Mortaza played just one game for KKR. He was extremely poor with his effort in that match, and hence, did not feature for the side again. This encounter is also remembered for the breathtaking final over in which Rohit Sharma took apart the Bangladeshi pacer. It announced Rohit’s arrival to the scene as a power-hitter.
Mashrafe conceded 58 runs off four overs against Deccan Chargers and failed to pick up a scalp. Moreover, he let Rohit Sharma win the game for his side in the final over from a losing position. Since then, Mashrafe has not played in IPL.
