IPL 2020: 4 bowlers KKR should target at the auction

The Kolkata Knight Riders had a mixed campaign in IPL 2019, with a few memorable wins and a couple of dramatic collapses. Andre Russell was undoubtedly the star of their season while the performances of Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana were encouraging too.

The bowling department was where most of the trouble was at, and KKR have responded by releasing 11 players ahead of the auction.

Released Players: Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Shrikant Mundhe, Carlos Brathwaite, Prithvi Raj, Nikhil Naik, KC Cariappa, Matthew Kelly, Joe Denly, Anrich Nortje.

Retained Players: Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Lockie Ferguson, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Harry Gurney, Shivam Mavi.

While getting a good opener at the auction will be one of KKR's goals, just as significant will be their effort to sign a good fast bowler who can lead their pace attack. Both Harry Gurney and Lockie Ferguson haven't done well in Indian conditions, so they need reinforcements in that area

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On that note, let's take a look at four bowlers that KKR should target at the auction.

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#4 Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan is a handy batsman too

Chris Jordan would be on KKR's wish-list considering his consistent performances in the limited-overs format this year. The all-rounder from England is among the most sought-after T20 bowlers in the world now, and he cemented his place in the national T20I side with some brilliant performances in the series against New Zealand.

Having already played for RCB and SRH in the past, Jordan knows what it takes to succeed in this cash-rich league. Moreover, in the Caribbean Premier League he is part of the Trinbago Knight Riders - a team that has the same ownership and coaching staff as KKR.

Jordan is a good pinch-hitter and can play some big shots with the bat at the death. In addition to that, he's an excellent fielder with a great aim.

His form has been picking up of late, and while he doesn't have as much raw pace as someone like Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc, Jordan has a good set of variations which work well on Indian pitches.

He picked up seven wickets from five games in CPL 2019, and impressed in the T10 League too where he scalped six wickets from five matches at an economy of 8.22 and average of 12.33.

All things considered Jordan is a quality pacer who has a proven record at the death, and KKR should consider getting him.

#3 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat can do well as a death bowler for KKR (Image Courtesy: IPLT20.com)

The most expensive player in both the 2018 and 2019 IPL auctions, Jaydev Unadkat has been released by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2020 auction. And this time it seems unlikely that they will bid for him again.

Unadkat's release was well justified as he could pick up just 10 wickets from 11 games in IPL 2019 at a poor economy of 10.66.

But his performances outside the IPL have been tremendous. The Saurashtra pacer was brilliant in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 15 wickets from eight games, averaging a solid 20.93. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy he did even better, and picked up 12 wickets from just seven games at an astounding economy rate of 5.74.

Unadkat has a great record in T20 cricket and is among the top left-arm pacers in the country right now. He could bolster KKR's lineup and provide experience to their pace bowling unit, which is filled with youngsters.

Despite a couple of poor seasons, Unadkat has the potential to make it big this season if KKR get him at the auction.

#2 Dale Steyn

Steyn can do well at KKR (Image Courtesy: IPLT20.com)

Called in as a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile last season, Dale Steyn impressed for RCB before an injury ruled him out. But back to full fitness, Steyn is surely an option to consider for any team that wants a quality overseas fast bowler. Not only does he bring a lot of pace and energy to the side, he also adds value with his experience.

Steyn is now going full steam ahead for the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League. He's currently the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 wickets from just 6 games at a good economy rate of 8.00. And while he hasn't made his return back to the national side, he does have a good chance of doing so in the coming months.

With his career going back to full tempo, Steyn will be high on confidence ahead of the next season. KKR should consider signing him to bolster their pace attack and increase their chances of winning the title in 2020.

#1 Sheldon Cottrell

Cottrell can be the perfect signing for KKR

Sheldon Cottrell is one of the best fast bowlers in the world right now and he's sure to attract a lot of bids at the auction. Known for his 'salute' celebration, brilliant fielding and spirited pace bowling, Cottrell could solve the pace bowling issues of many teams in the IPL, especially KKR.

While KKR retained Harry Gurney, it seems that the Englishman is more of a backup than a lead pacer as his cutters and slower ones don't work too well at the Eden Gardens. Lockie Ferguson has proved to be ineffective when it comes to taking wickets in the IPL, and KKR need a new overseas player to lead their charge. Cottrell is the right man for that job description.

He is now the lead bowler in the West Indies pace attack and has been their standout performer in the limited-overs format. After a great World Cup, he did well in CPL 2019 with 12 wickets from just eight matches at a good economy rate. He followed that up with great performances in the T20I and ODI series against Afghanistan in India.

With great stats and a terrific attitude towards the game, Cottrell can make the difference for KKR this season. They should try to get him no matter how much he costs.