Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who have won the IPL in 2012 and 2014 didn’t have the greatest of seasons in the last two years. In 2019 and 2020, both the times they did not finish in the top four and missed out on Net Run Rate. They had won the same number of games as the team at the fourth position but whenever they were losing it was by a huge margin.
Andre Russell was the man in the 2019 season and in IPL 2020 they had a change of captaincy mid-way which came as a surprise. KKR will try and make some changes before the auction and the trade window is the perfect place to do so. The trade window is open till February 4 and the Auction is most likely to be held on February 11. So, let’s have a look at the five players KKR should buy if they are released in the IPL 2021 trade window.
5. Shivam Dube
Kolkata Knight Riders have an overseas all-rounder in Andre Russell, but they don’t have an Indian seam bowling all-rounder. There are very few Indian seam bowling all-rounders with the most effective one being Hardik Pandya. MI is not going to release Pandya, so they can try for Shivam Dube.
RCB didn’t pick Dube in all the 14 games which is a sign that they might look out for a new player and there could be a trading opportunity. KKR could try and get a player like Dube who can bat at No.5 and bowl a couple of overs in each game.
4. Krishnappa Gowtham
KKR’s spin bowling all-rounder – Sunil Narine hasn’t delivered in the last couple of seasons. His bowling isn’t as effective as it used to be, and he was almost a free wicket for the opposition when he opened the innings. An Indian off-spinner who can play a similar role is Krishnappa Gowtham.
Gowtham can bowl in the powerplay, and he has been a terrific finisher with the bat. He has played some unbelievable cameos in the IPL for RR. KXIP left him out of their XI after a couple of games and KKR could buy him if they release him in the trade window.
3. Karun Nair
It seems as if many people have forgotten Karun Nair who has scored a triple century for India in Test cricket. In IPL 2017, he has led the Delhi Capitals when Zaheer Khan was injured. He is a versatile batsman and can bat anywhere in the top four.
People might have written him off, but he has experience of playing in the IPL which might be handy. KXIP dropped him after the first 3-4 games and KKR could think of Nair as an opener or a middle-order option if one of Tripathi or Rana doesn’t perform.
2. Abdul Samad
Abdul Samad who made his IPL debut last year had a great impact as he smashed some huge sixes off great bowlers. His role was pretty clear, and he has shown that he can finish off an innings against high-quality bowlers. KKR might think of a player like Samad to fit in at No.6 or No.7 where he can even bowl a couple of leg-spin overs.
SRH is not a team that is keen on making trades, but they had the likes of Jason Holder and Abhishek Sharma to play a similar role and there might be a slight chance of releasing him and KKR should take it if they release him.
1. Anrich Nortje
Kolkata Knight Riders did have the services of Pat Cummins as their overseas fast bowler, but they would like to have one more in the reserves if not in the XI. Anrich Nortje who came in as a replacement for Chris Woakes had a terrific IPL for Delhi Capitals.
Delhi Capitals might have to take a call between Chris Woakes and Anrich Nortje, and they might release Nortje which would be a golden opportunity for a team like KKR who would like to have him. KKR had bought him in the 2019 Auction, but he didn’t turn up due to an injury, so there is no doubt that they want him in their team.
