IPL 2020: 3 players KKR could target at the auction based on Brendon McCullum's advice

Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in Brendon McCullum to be their head coach for IPL 2020. Since retiring from competitive cricket McCullum has been keen on getting into a full-time coaching career, and the IPL opportunity would be a crucial step towards that.

McCullum began his coaching stint with the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, and took the team to the knockouts of the tournament. Therefore, we can expect KKR to be a formidable team under McCullum's coaching in the upcoming season.

Speaking of the impending IPL, the player auction is going to be held at Kolkata on 19 December 2019. The management would be seeking to make some essential reinforcements to their squad at the event.

As a former New Zealand captain and current KKR coach, McCullum would have a strong say in the decision-making processes of the franchise. Here are three players whom McCullum could recommend for the team to target in the upcoming auction.

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#3 James Neesham

James Neesham

James Neesham found no buyers for his base price of ₹75 Lakh in the 2019 IPL auction. This year, however, most franchises would be interested in securing his signature. The New Zealander's career trajectory has taken an upturn in the last few months.

Neesham is a quality all-rounder who is fiery with the bat and resourceful with the ball. The left-hander's five consecutive sixes against Sri Lanka en route to his 13-ball 47* earned him a place in New Zealand's 2019 World Cup squad.

Neesham played a crucial role in the Blackcaps side throughout the World Cup. In the Super Over of the tournament final, Neesham fought hard and refused to hand the match to England.

Kolkata need a stable backup all-rounder for Andre Russell, as Carlos Brathwaite doesn't seem to fit well in their scheme of things. As a fellow New Zealander and TKR head coach, McCullum would target Neesham at the auction.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#2 Max Bryant

Max Bryant

Max Bryant is a 20-year-old opening batsman who made his debut for Brisbane Heat in the 2018-19 Big Bash. In that season, Bryant opened the innings with the legendary McCullum and shared good chemistry with him.

Bryant's explosive style of batting meshed well with the top-order 'Bash Brothers' McCullum and Chris Lynn, which led to the three being referred by the commentators as Bash Triplets. McCullum could recommend Bryant to KKR not just because of their friendship, but also because the youngster has immense potential.

Bryant showed out-of-the-world skills in a BBL match against Melbourne Stars, where he opened the run-chase with Ben Cutting and helped Brisbane chase down 157 runs in 10 overs without the loss of any wickets.

Kolkata's back-up opener Joe Denly doesn't seem to fit well in their scheme of things. The England player received just one opportunity in the playing XI last season.

Having a youthful opener to replace Denly would be a good option. Bryant could learn and improvise while sharing the dressing room with McCullum and Lynn. If he becomes familiar with the Indian conditions, Bryant could be a long-term asset for KKR to have.

#1 Eoin Morgan

Brendon McCullum (L) and Eoin Morgan (R)

There could be a strong recommendation from McCullum to rope in Eoin Morgan. As a World Cup-winning captain, Morgan would be one of the most sought-after players in the auction, and KKR would do well to acquire his contract.

Morgan is a huge admirer of the newly appointed KKR coach, and the two share a great rapport. McCullum was even the 'master of ceremonies' at Morgan's wedding, showing how close the two of them are.

The understanding between McCullum and Morgan would be immensely helpful for KKR. The England captain adopted McCullum's style of captaincy after the team's dismal World Cup outing in 2015; not only did that help Morgan turn things around and win the 2019 World Cup, but it also made him a more explosive batsman than before.

Morgan made history in a 2019 World Cup match against Afghanistan by notching up the most sixes (17) in an ODI match. He was also the third joint leading six-hitter in the 2019 Vitality Blast along with Aaron Finch and Tom Banton. But while Finch and Banton took 13 games to score the 23 sixes, Morgan took just 9.