KKR IPL 2023 Squad: The think tank for Kolkata Knight Riders has a lot to do before the IPL 2023 Auction. Although there are a total of 11 spots that need to be filled, the two-time IPL champions’ budget only permits them to spend Rs 7.05 Crore. In front of the crucial IPL 2023 Auction, we look at the challenges that the former champions must resolve and the players they are most likely to seek. Follow IPL 2023 Auction Live updates with InsideSport.IN.
KKR IPL 2023 Squad: Check Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad, KKR Remaining Purse for IPL Auction, KKR IPL Auction Targets, Buy & KKR Players IPL Salaries: Follow IPL 2023 Auction LIVE
Time for a New season 😃
Time for a New rule 😎
How big an “impact” will the substitute player have this edition of the #TATAIPL 🤔 pic.twitter.com/19mNntUcUW
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 2, 2022
KKR strategy for IPL 2023
Before the IPL 2022 auction, the KKR released star players like Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Ajinkya Rahane and a few others. The franchise also added Shardul Thakur (traded from DC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (traded from GT), Lockie Ferguson (traded from GT) to their squad.
What is the Team composition like?
KKR currently have a 14-man squad with four pace and two spin bowling options. The 2-time champions also have dependable first-choice top-order batters. However there are many underlining gaps to fill with very little money available at their disposal.
They have a total of 11 slots to fill, but the problem is that their purse allows them to spend only Rs 7.05 crore. With key roles requiring suitable replacements, what could be KKR’s strategy going into the auction, and which players are they likely to target?
What is Kolkata’s requirement at the IPL 2023 mini auction?
- An Indian opening batter to potentially partner Gurbaz. The one should be adaptable to team requirements to score runs quickly or set the platform for the middle-order.
- A death bowling specialist to got with a back up option for all-rounder Andre Russell give his history of injuries.
- An Indian wicketkeeper batsman who can be used as a floater in the batting order.
- Back-ups for some of the first-choice players.
Kolkata Knight Riders Overview
- Retained players: Shreyas Iyer (C) (Rs 12.25 Crore), Nitish Rana (Rs 8 Crore), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Rs 50 Lakh), Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 8 Crore), Andre Russell (Rs 12 Crore), Sunil Narine (Rs 6 Crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs 10.75 Crore), Lockie Ferguson (Rs 10 Crore), Umesh Yadav (Rs 2 Crore), Tim Southee (Rs 1.5 Crore), Harshit Rana (Rs 20 Lakh), Varun Chakravarthy (Rs 8 Crore), Anukul Roy (Rs 20 Lakh), Rinku Singh (Rs 55 Lakh).
- Released players: Pat Cummins, Sam Billings, Aman Khan (traded), Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Abhijeet Tomar, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Sharma, Baba Indrajith, Pratham Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Sheldon Jackson
- Traded players: Shardul Thakur (traded from DC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (traded from GT), Lockie Ferguson (traded from GT)
- Purse left: Rs 7.05 Crore
- Slots left: 11 (3 overseas)
Who could be the potential targets?
a. Kusal Perera: At a base price of Rs 1 Crore, Sri Lankan Kusal Perera can be a perfect choice for KKR as its opener. The southpaw is an experienced T20 player, who can easily fit into the role of an aggressor at the top of the order.
b. Phil Salt: England’s Phil Salt has a base price of Rs 2 crore. KKR may simply target the Englishman to address their immediate need for an aggressive opener. Salt has a strike rate of more than 160 in international T20. However, with a limited budget and other teams likely to sign Salt, KKR may find it difficult to acquire the aggressive right-hander.
c. Mayank Agarwal: After being released by Punjab Kings, Mayank Agarwal is searching for a new home in IPL 2023. At a base price of Rs 1 Crore, KKR can go after the Karnataka skipper, to boost their middle order worries.
d. David Wiese: Namibia all-rounder David Wiese could be a perfect foil for injure prone Andre Russell for the 2-time champions. The 37-year-old was excellent for Namibia at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. He is also a quality death bowler, something which is KKR’s top most priority.
🚨 NEWS 🚨: TATA IPL 2023 Player Auction list announced. #TATAIPLAuction
Find all the details 🔽https://t.co/fpLNc6XSMH
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 13, 2022
Kolkata Knight Riders finished at the seventh spot in IPL 2022. The team finished with six wins and eight losses, but most importantly failed to cash in on the early momentum. The preparations for this year’s auction began early for for KKR.
It’s been a long time since Kolkata Knight Riders lifted the IPL crown. The last time it happened was way back in 2014. Over the last eight years, they tried multiple captains but failed to deliver the results. Will the mini auction prove to be a stepping stone towards KKR winning its third title in 2023?
IPL Auction 2023 – Key details
- The auction is scheduled for December 23 in Kochi.
- The purse value of all teams has been increased by 5 crores, making a total of INR 95 crores for each team.
- Out of their total purse value, the franchises need to spend a minimum of 75% during the auction event.
- Earlier, from a list of 991 players, a total of 369 players from 10 teams were shortlisted. However, 36 additional players were added to the final list on request of the teams, making a total of 405 players to be presented at the IPL auction.
- Out of 405 players, 273 are Indian cricketers, and 132 are overseas, including four from associate nations.
- The total capped players are 119, uncapped players are 282 and 4 from associate nations.
- A maximum of 87 slots are now available, with up to 30 being allocated for overseas players.
- The auction will start at 14:30 IST.
KKR IPL 2023 Squad: Check Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad, KKR Remaining Purse for IPL Auction, KKR IPL Auction Targets, Buy & KKR Players IPL Salaries: Follow IPL 2023 Auction LIVE
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