IPL 2019: 3 Bowlers that KKR should target at the auction

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has always been a team that has taken pride in their world-class spinning options in the squad, the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, and Piyush Chawla. The lack of a quality fast bowler in their attack, since Umesh Yadav left the team in 2017, has been one of the major causes of concern for an otherwise well-balanced side.

KKR has released all its specialized foreign fast bowlers ahead of the 2019 auction, and the Dinesh Karthik led side would be looking out for fast bowling options who could adapt to the Indian conditions as well as execute the leadership role that Umesh Yadav used to fulfil.

They need a bowler who could ideally do what Bhuvneshwar Kumar does for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, bowl a couple of overs in the powerplay to get them the initial breakthroughs and also be effective in restricting the batsmen with the remaining overs at the death.

So, here are some fast-bowling options that KKR should target at the upcoming auctions.

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#3 Isuru Udana

SLC XI v England - Tour Match

The 30-year-old, left-arm medium fast bowler from Sri Lanka has become a T20 specialist of sorts and has been plying his trade all around the globe, and has met with consistent success, especially in tournaments in the Indian subcontinent the likes of Bangladesh Premier League, Afghanistan Premier League, SLC T20 league, as well as other competitions including the ongoing T10 league in Sharjah.

He has picked up 23 wickets in 19 innings at an economy of 7.39 and an average of 18.91, including T20 Internationals where he has been an integral part of the Sri Lankan squad as a bowling all-rounder.

He is handy with the bat with a T20 strike rate of 120+ and can be bought to lead the bowling attack or be used as a replacement for Andre Russell.

#2 Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes

A former Knight Rider, Chris had an exceptional IPL 2017 with KKR where he was the team's highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 8.77.

But at the 2018 auction, he was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore at a significant price of ₹74 lakhs but was given limited opportunities to perform as he featured in just 5 matches and had a tally of 8 wickets.

For IPL 2019, he could be the ideal buy for KKR as he is familiar with the team's setup, has experience of playing at the Eden Gardens, and best of all is a team player who could form a great partnership with Andre Russell as well as the youngsters, Shivam Mavi, and Prasidh Krishna.

An added bonus is the fact that he is a handy batsman down the order with a strike rate of 136.10 and a best of 57* in T20s.

#1 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami would be ideal to lead the KKR attack.

The UP-born speedster, who has made Bengal his home in the domestic competitions would be the ideal buy for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Shami, although not a T20 bowler, has 68 wickets in 65 innings at an economy of 8.28 in his T20 career. He was a part of the KKR squad in 2013 where he did not get many opportunities and shifted base to Delhi where he had been a part of the Delhi Daredevils squad since 2014. His injury-ridden career is one of the main reasons, why the Daredevils have let him go before next year's auctions.

A versatile bowler, he can swing the bowl in the powerplay overs as well as chip in with his precise yorkers at the death. If given an opportunity to feature in IPL 2019, KKR would be the perfect place for him, and he should use such opportunity to make his case for the 2019 World Cup.