3 areas of concern for KKR ahead of the IPL 2021 auction

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) underwent a turbulent campaign in last year's Indian Premier League (IPL), with captaincy changes and questionable rotation policies preventing them from making the playoffs.

KKR come into this year's IPL with a largely unchanged roster. They've chosen to back the young players they've invested heavily in over the last few years, while maintaining the strong core that they've built.

KKR also freed up three overseas slots by releasing Chris Green, Harry Gurney and Tom Banton, but are a bit short on funds heading into the IPL 2021 auction.

Retained Players: Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Rahul Tripathi, Varun Chakravarthy, Tim Seifert

Released Players: Chris Green, Harry Gurney, M Siddharth, Nikhil Naik, Siddhesh Lad, Tom Banton

Here are 3 areas of concern for KKR ahead of the IPL 2021 auction.

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#3 KKR need to sign reliable all-rounders

Sunil Narine is clearly on the decline

KKR have two of the best T20 all-rounders in Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. But these are the only two all-rounders on their roster at the moment (Pat Cummins and Nitish Rana can bat and bowl respectively, but neither player can be called an all-rounder).

Russell has become highly injury prone of late, while Narine has been exposed for his technical shortcomings with the bat and questionable bowling action. Both players need backups, as at multiple points during last season, KKR had to field a playing XI without them.

Narine was rested as he attempted to fix his action, and his replacement Chris Green didn't impress. When Russell was out, KKR opted to play Lockie Ferguson, leaving their batting heavily reliant on a couple of players.

KKR will target at least a couple of all-rounders in the IPL 2021 auction. Players such as Moises Henriques and David Willey might be excellent additions to the side.

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#2 KKR need a backup Indian wicket-keeper

Dinesh Karthik is the only Indian keeper part of KKR at the moment

After releasing Nikhil Naik, KKR have two wicket-keepers in their squad - Dinesh Karthik and Tim Seifert. However, if Karthik suffers an injury or needs a rest, the entire combination of the team will be disturbed as Seifert would occupy an overseas slot.

KKR have captain Eoin Morgan and 15.5-crore signing Pat Cummins apart from Narine and Russell, and dropping any of these players will be a major blow. As a result, the team management would do well to sign an Indian player capable of donning the gloves.

Options are limited in the IPL 2021 auction pool, but KKR don't need a world-class second-choice keeper. They just need someone capable of filling in for Karthik if and when required.

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#1 KKR's spin attack looks a bit thin

Kuldeep Yadav has fallen out of favour at KKR

M Siddharth was a surprise signing for KKR in the IPL 2020 auction, but he was released by the side last month. The left-arm spinner was exceptional for Tamil Nadu in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and would've certainly been a valuable option on the bench.

KKR now have only three spin options - Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. Kuldeep has fallen out of favour at KKR, and he picked up only 1 wicket last season. Narine has been plagued by injury and action woes, and is clearly on the decline.

Chakravarthy was the star of KKR's bowling attack in IPL 2020, but with the amount of technology and analysis that exists today, he might go through a brief rough patch when opposition teams begin to figure him out. Even if that doesn't happen, it might not be realistic to expect him to lead the attack, especially with only one IPL season of note behind him.

KKR will need to bolster their spin department in the IPL 2021 auction, and a move for former player Piyush Chawla might be on the cards.