IPL Auction 2017: 5 players Kolkata Knight Riders will look to buy

The mere mention of Kolkata Knight Riders always brings to mind a side that is consistent and doesn’t make too many changes, not too dissimilar to the policy that Chennai Super Kings employ. Much like them, KKR also have two IPL titles and are chasing their third in the tenth edition of the IPL.

However, unlike earlier seasons, they will have quite a lot of work to do in the IPL Auction 2017, which will take place in Bengaluru on February 20. Having released six foreigners, including four pacers and also having Andre Russell’s one-year ban to contend with, they will have plenty of work to do.

Extra Cover: IPL Auction 2017: Complete list of players in the auction, PDF download

With only two front-line pacers, the fast bowling department and the all-rounders are the two main areas they will be looking to target. With a purse of INR 19.75 crore, they have plenty of cash to go for the players they really need.

---

#1 Niroshan Dickwella

Robin Uthappa has undoubtedly been one of the success stories for Kolkata Knight Riders ever since he moved to the side. But the 31-year-old Indian keeper is not in great form and was even dropped from the Karnataka Ranji Trophy side midway through this season and has also been battling with injuries.

While a fully-fit Uthappa will be first-choice, KKR don’t have a good backup keeper. And with a base price of just INR 30 lakh, that is where Niroshan Dickwella comes into the picture. The 23-year-old has been a revelation for Sri Lanka over the last six months.

The wicketkeeper, who also opens the batting is as explosive as they come and a career T20 strike rate of over 140 is proof of that. With no backup for Uthappa and a top-order that consists largely of strike rotators rather than big-hitters, the 23-year-old will be the perfect fit for KKR.

Not only does he provide them with an alternative for Uthappa should his form or fitness falter but the 23-year-old has shown that he can get his side off to a flyer as well, which shouldn’t be taken for granted.

#2 Tymal Mills

One of the fastest bowlers on the planet

From having Shaun Tait at their disposal before letting him go before the start of this season, Kolkata Knight Riders know all about having a bowler who is just known for his sheer pace. While it is true that Tymal Mills is one of the fastest bowlers in the world at the moment, he is much more than just raw speed.

The one thing that separates him from his contemporaries who also bowl quickly is his incredible accuracy. Ever since a congenital back condition forced him to turn away from first-class cricket, Mills has devoted all his attention to the shortest format and being one of the finest T20 bowlers in the world.

The result? A 24-year-old left-arm fast bowler who is incredibly quick, accurate and has great control over his variations which results in him being an incredible asset at the death overs, as he showed during the T20I series at the death.

With a base price of just INR 50 lakh, he is certain to be highly sought-after but KKR’s vast purse means that they can go all out for him and ensure that they have Morne Morkel’s replacement lined up.

#3 Pat Cummins

Cummins has played for KKR in the past (Image: Cricket Australia)

There were more than a fair share of Australians who wanted Pat Cummins in the Test squad for India. But the 23-year-old fast bowler, who has previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders, wasn't selected and was instead terrorising the Sri Lankan batsman with his incredible pace.

Ever since he came back from injury, Cummins has been a revelation. It all began with impressive performances in this year’s Big Bash League for Sydney Thunder and that meant he was fast-tracked into the Australian ODI side that took on Pakistan and the T20I side to face Sri Lanka.

While there might still be question marks over his fitness over four days, there can be little doubting his ability to perform in a T20 game where he can concentrate completely on just bowling fast. With a base price of INR 2 crore, the 23-year-old won't be cheap.

But with age on his side and KKR needing fast bowlers, having released quite a few and also having the money to buy him, he will be one they will be eyeing. The fact that he is a decent batsman who can clear the boundaries at will does his case no harm at all.

#4 Chris Woakes

Woakes is handy with both bat and ball

When Chris Woakes first burst onto the scene, he was hailed by some as the replacement for James Anderson. But somehow it never really worked out that way until the last couple of years in which he has made a wonderful comeback to international cricket.

Although he is seen primarily as a new ball bowler, he has shown with his variations, yorkers and slower balls during the ODI series against India that he has what it takes to succeed in the shorter formats. There aren’t that many bowlers who can swing the new ball and execute their yorkers at the death, which is what makes him special.

He is the complete package as far as a T20 bowler is concerned and hence will be highly sought-after. The fact that he is a more than handy batsman with an unbeaten 95 to his name in ODIs is another reason why he has a base price of INR 2 crore.

But money is no issue as far as KKR are concerned and the options that he provides make him an option that KKR can’t miss out on.

#5 Corey Anderson

Anderson has the ability to clear any fence in the world

All eyes ahead of the IPL Auction 2017 is on all-rounders. And one man, in particular, Ben Stokes, who even with a base price of INR 2 crore, is expected to be one of the biggest buys of the auction. But one man who is almost coming into the auction under the radar is New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson.

The injury that ruled him out of a majority of last season’s IPL has also limited his playing time for New Zealand over the past year. But the 26-year-old is a proven performer with both bat and ball, not just in the IPL, but also in international cricket.

Capable of clearing any boundary and also bowling tight spells, he will be the ideal replacement for Andre Russell, who has a one-year ban to complete. Stokes might grab all the headlines, but KKR would do well to monitor the Kiwi all-rounder for they might be able to grab a bargain if they play their cards right.

Although Anderson has a base price of INR 100 crore, all eyes are likely to be on English players who won’t even be available for the entire tournament and thus the signing of Corey Anderson, who strengthens KKR’s middle-order and provides balance becomes all the more crucial for KKR.