5 players KKR should target for IPL 2019

The match between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the final qualifier of this year's Indian Premier League highlighted a common problem which has been affecting the teams this year. Too often a team is cruising to victory during their run chase only to lose a wicket and then find themselves snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

The case was no different for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The team's middle order struggled to get any sort of momentum going during their run chase and eventually fell 14 runs short of their target of 174. This was disappointing on so many levels especially since the men from Kolkata had looked to be in control of the match for the majority of the evening.

Kolkata Knight Riders are a quality side and being defeated in such a way will leave them looking for ways to turn things around drastically in time for next year's IPL. In order to do this, the team will need to make several changes to the existing squad and give themselves a bit of a refresh.

This article will look at 5 players who KKR should give some serious thought to for next year's IPL.

#1 David Miller

David Miller has been a regular part of the Kings XI Punjab over the past few seasons. This has been the only franchise which he has played for in the IPL since he made his debut at the tournament, but it seems as though the Kings XI Punjab are falling out of love with the big-hitting batsman.

Miller was one of the star attractions for the Kings XI Punjab over the years but it seems as though things have changed. Fans have seen so little of the destructive batsman during this season's IPL that they would have been forgiven for thinking that he was not taking part in this year's tournament.

If this is anything to go by, it seems unlikely that Miller will be retained by the Kings XI Punjab for next year's IPL season. This would provide KKR with a great opportunity to add the destructive South African batsman to their middle order and give it the firepower which it seems to lack at the moment.

#2 Kieron Pollard

It is almost unthinkable to some cricketing fans that the Mumbai Indians would ever let Kieron Pollard go. The big-hitting batsman has been a regular part of the Mumbai Indians team for years now and it would be hard to picture their squad without him.

The same thing could have been said about Chris Gayle if one were to suggest that the Royal Challengers Bangalore would not retain him. However, the unthinkable did happen, and Gayle now finds himself playing for a new franchise.

Kieron Pollard should not feel secure about his place in the team. He has had a run of poor scores and has not done much to justify his inclusion in the Mumbai Indians squad. Despite being an all-rounder, he has been used only as a batsman and has not put in the scores needed to get his team across the line.

#3 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn has missed out on a lot of cricket due to injury and his exclusion from this year's Indian Premier League is understandable. However, the South African fast bowler is expected to make his return during the Test series against Sri Lanka and Steyn has made it clear that he still has a lot to offer.

There are a lot of people who feel that the time has come for Steyn to call it a day and to retire. Steyn has often hit back at this by saying that he still feels that he has a lot left in him and is even intent on making it to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Steyn is a phenomenal fast bowler and is easily the greatest in the modern era. He has the ability to take wickets and turn a match on its head and this is something which seems to have been forgotten during his time away from the game.

If Mitchell Johnson can still find a way to get selected it certainly should raise a few questions as to why Dale Steyn should not be selected. KKR could use a fast bowler such as Steyn to boost their pace attack.

#4 Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan needs no introduction when it comes to the cricketing world. Known for his hard-hitting ability and aggressive style, KKR may well benefit from Morgan's ability to take the game away from the opposition.

It is not merely his ability to hit the ball to all sides of the cricket ground which make him such a key player. Morgan does have experience in the IPL as well as leadership experience with his national side. This is something which KKR clearly seemed to be lacking during the final stages of their run chase against SRH. The batsmen didn't seem to know how to pace the chase when it came to the final few overs and a batsman such as Morgan can really help to control the innings during the latter stages.

He is a decent player of spin and has the ability to find the gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking. This is a trait which KKR should find very attractive which might just make Morgan a man who they may want to consider in their plans for next year's tournament.

#5 Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen was one of the Proteas' biggest discoveries during their home series against India a few months ago. The powerful batsman impressed the cricketing world when he took on India without fear, playing their bowlers with such confidence that you would think that he has been around for ages.

His debut was so impressive that he caught the eye of the Rajasthan Royals and was selected by them as a replacement for the banned Steven Smith. His brief stint in the IPL has shown that he does have some work to do when playing on Indian pitches but has also shown that he has a lot of promise and just keeps improving and adapting to conditions.

His aggressive style and the ability to hit the ball cleanly will be something which KKR will find attractive. Klaasen showed during both the home series against India as well as during the IPL that he is someone who likes to keep the scoreboard ticking over and that he has no fear regarding the bowling opposition which he faces. It is uncertain at this point as to whether the Royals will fight to retain the talented batsman but a decision not to retain him would give KKR the opportunity to bring him into the fold.