IPL 2020: 3 players who could be surplus to KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were one of the busiest franchise at the IPL auction 2020. After releasing as many as 10 players ahead of the auction, the franchise needed to pick a strong set of players to build a potent side for the IPL this year. The franchise was keen on buying a few quality players and their mammoth bid of INR 15.5 crores for Pat Cummins pointed to that. The Kolkata-based franchise went for quality overseas recruits along with some back-up Indian talent to complete their squad of 23 players for IPL 2020. Unlike the last IPL edition where KKR fancied a thin squad, their strategy at this auction to consider enough back-up options was quite palpable at the onset.

KKR Squad

Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (c), Harry Gurney, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Siddhesh Lad, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Eoin Morgan, Varun Chakravarthy, Tom Banton, Rahul Tripathi, Chris Green, M Siddharth, Praveen Tambe, Nikhil Naik.

With a plethora of options available for each possible slot, here's a look at 3 players who might not get an opportunity and could be surplus to KKR in IPL 2020:

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#3 Pravin Tambe

The 48-year old leg-spinner became the oldest player to be bought in the history of IPL auction

The acquistion of Pravin Tambe in the dying stages of the accelerated round seemed as a desperate move to include the veteran's experience in the side. KKR bought him at his base price of INR 20 lakhs. With the availability of frontline spin options in Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, and KKR's another surprising recruit in Varun Chakravarthy, it is highly likely that Tambe might be seen warming the benches for a majority of the tournament. It would be a startling move if KKR look beyond the three spinners, out of whom, two are a certainity for nearly every match. Tambe last represented in a IPL fixture in 2016 playing for Gujarat Lions and failed to break into the XI in any of the matches at the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp in IPL 2017.

Also see – BBL points table

#2 Harry Gurney

Harry Gurney

The left-arm medium-pace bowler, Harry Gurney was bought by Kolkata in the IPL auction 2019 at a base price of INR 75 lakhs. The English quick did well in the T20 leagues around the globe and was rewarded for his ability to pick wickets and curb the flow of runs in the death overs. Gurney even played for KKR last year and was retained ahead of the auction this year. However, he wasn't as effective in Indian conditions and picked up seven wickets in his eight appearances. He was quite expensive and conceded runs at an economy of 8.81.

In IPL 2020, it is likely that Gurney might have very little or no role to play for the purple army. The inclusion of Pat Cummins and the presence of Lockie Ferguson in the mix as two potent pace options might close doors for the English cricketer to find a place in the XI. The team would prefer playing Narine and Andre Russell to complete the four overseas slots alongside Cummins and Ferguson.

#1 Sandeep Warrier

Sandeep Warrier

The Kerala pacer, Sandeep Warrier went unsold in IPL auction 2019 despite his valour efforts to power Kerala to the semi-final spot in the Ranji Trophy season 2018/19. But he was included in KKR's setup, just days before the IPL in 2019 as a back-up for the injured young speedster Kamlesh Nagarkoti. The 27-year old got an opportunity to feature in three games in 2019 but didn't impress a lot with two wickets as he went wicketless on two occasions. However, Warrier was retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL auction 2020.

With the return of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti as two potent Indian fast bowlers, Warrier might have to pull a rabbit out of a hat before the start of the season in order to push his case for a selection ahead of the other two young pacers. KKR have generally gone in with Prasidh Krishna as their first-choice Indian seam bowler and it seems that Warrier might be seen warming the benches for the entire course in IPL 2020.