3 players who should be released by KKR ahead of the IPL 2020 auction

In the 56th and last league match of IPL 2019, Kolkata Knight Riders were looking to create history at the Wankhede by defeating the hosts in their own backyard. This match was crucial for KKR to qualify for the playoffs. But all their hopes were crushed as they faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians.

KKR had a disappointing season this year in the IPL. They won four games out of the first five, and stood at the top of the points table at that stage. However, they suddenly collapse after that and lost their next six games.

KKR tried to make a comeback in the last phase of the season, but all their dreams were shattered when their batting collapsed in the last match against Mumbai Indians.

Andre Russell was consistently brutal throughout the season, showcasing his ability to win matches from hopeless or near-impossible situations. He ended up scoring 510 runs at a strike rate of 204.81.

Even Shubman Gill was impressive in the latter part of the season after he was promoted to the top order of the KKR batting.

Shubman Gill (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

However, all the other players performed below expectations for KKR. Kuldeep Yadav in particular had a season which he would like to forget as quickly as possible.

The KKR team management would have to figure out a lot of things ahead of the next season. Dinesh Karthik was sub-par with his leadership. His bowling rotation raised lots of eyebrows.

Even Andre Russell showed his anger against the captain in one of the press conferences. There was visible tension between the teammates on the field, which ultimately crushed their playoff chances.

KKR would need to make serious changes ahead of the next season, and release a few players before the 2020 auctions. These players are either not justifying their price tag or are not serving their purpose in the team. KKR could also trade these players to make a more complete and balanced team.

Here are the players who should be released by KKR ahead of the 2020 season:

3. Kamlesh Nagarkoti: 3.2 crore

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti grabbed the limelight with his performances in the U19 World Cup. He bowled continuously with a pace of over 140 kph in that tournament.

He impressed KKR's team management so much with his pace at such a young age that they decided to go all out for him in the 2018 auction. They purchased him at 3.2 crore after heavy bidding.

But Nagarkoti has not played a single match for KKR since that auction. He got injured just before the start of the 2018 season, and this year too he couldn't play due to injury concerns.

KKR should release him before the next auction as they have no idea about his form and pace at the moment. They also have the option of purchasing him at a lesser price in the auction.

2. Chris Lynn: 9.6 crore

Chris Lynn in the BBL

In 2016 and 2017, 'Lynnsanity' was the most heard term in the BBL. The term was coined in honor of the insane hitting capabilities of Chris Lynn.

In the 2016-17 edition of the BBL, Lynn was dismissed just twice and scored 309 runs at an astonishing average of 154.50 and a destructive strike-rate of 177.59. In the season before that he was the top-scorer with 378 runs at an average of 54, and again at an unprecedented strike-rate of 173.

Chris Lynn (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

But lately, Lynn seems to have lost the ability to take apart any bowler on his day. His shoulder injuries have affected his fitness and he is not able to attack the pacers like before.

Lynn has become a restrained player, which could be seen in the last IPL season. He scored 491 runs from 16 games at a strike-rate of 130.24.

The numbers look decent, but they aren't that good for a player who is paid 9.6 crore by his franchise. KKR should release him in the auction next year to get a good middle-order batsman or a good fast bowler in his place.

1. Robin Uthappa: 6.4 crore

Robin Uthappa (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

Robin Uthappa's career took a new turn after he was bought by KKR ahead of the 2014 season of the IPL. He played a pivotal role in KKR's campaign with his consistency, and helped them lift their second IPL title.

Uthappa was promoted to the top order by KKR, and he was brilliant in his role as an opener. He bagged the Orange Cap with 660 runs, which included a record-breaking series of 11 consecutive 40+ scores.

Robin Uthappa

But in the last IPL season Uthappa struggled a lot with his touch as well as his consistency. He is now finding it difficult to keep up his stroke-play and to rotate the strike efficiently. He plays lots of dot balls, which puts pressure on the lower middle order.

Uthappa's 9 runs off 20 balls against RCB last season was widely criticized. He played a similar innings against MI, which crushed their playoff dreams.

KKR need to let him go and find a new good Indian batsman to replace him.