3 players that KKR could target in the IPL-12 auction

Although there are still about four months left for the first ball of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League to be bowled, the excitement button has been already switched on as all the franchises have released the lists of players that they don't want to retain for the next season.

Some big names to be excluded have been Gautam Gambhir (DD), Yuvraj Singh (KXIP), Brendon McCullum (RCB), Wriddhiman Saha (SRH), Mustafizur Rahman (MI) and Jaydev Unadkat (RR).

Kolkata Knight Riders have also released their list of retained players via social media, and some notable names that don't feature in it are Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Tom Curran. Indian uncapped players Ishank Jaggi and Apoorv Wankhade have also been released alongside the experienced Vinay Kumar.

Here is a list of three players that the two-time IPL winners might target in the upcoming IPL auctions to create a team which would be a strong contender for the IPL-12 trophy.

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#1 Hashim Amla

With there being no guarantee of the availability of the Aussie players for the entire IPL season, the Knight Riders surely would want a backup for their big-hitting opener Chris Lynn. And Hashim Amla might just be the perfect option for the franchise.

The Proteas batsman was surprisingly ignored in the 2018 auctions by all the franchises but his T20I stats easily prove that that was a blunder. Having played 44 T20Is, he has amassed 1277 runs at a healthy strike rate of 132.06. In the IPL, he has played 16 matches and has scored 577 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 141.76.

With experience and form on his side, Amla's services might also provide the Knights with the option of an overseas opener in case Sunil Narine misfires.

#2 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Another Proteas cricketer who features on this list is Dale Steyn. Having released both Starc and Johnson, KKR would be in search for an overseas fast bowler, and Steyn might be the best option for them.

The dreaded fast bowler attracted no bidders last year because of his poor form and injuries, but now he is back with a bang. He has picked up 11 wickets in just 6 ODIs this year, and was in scintillating form in the recently concluded Australia and Zimbabwe series.

A class bowler who has picked up 58 wickets in 42 T20Is and 92 wickets in 90 IPL matches, Steyn will surely be a good buy for the Knight Riders.

#3 Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite

Kolkata Knight Riders probably have the best T20 all-rounder in the world in the form of Andre Russell. But the big man from the Caribbean Islands has been injury prone in the recent few years, and the Knights would want a back up for him.

A great option is his West Indian teammate, Carlos Brathwaite. Best known for his 4 sixes in the last over of the T20 World Cup final against England at the home stadium of the Knights, Brathwaite is an impact player and can deliver with both the ball and the bat when required.

So far, Brathwaite has picked up 13 wickets and has scored 170 runs at an amazing strike rate of 168.32, which shows how lethal he can be. Availing his services will provide KKR with a fantastic bench strength and might propel them towards a third IPL title.