IPL Auction 2020: 3 batsmen KKR could target as a replacement for Chris Lynn

Hard-hitting Australian batsman Chris Lynn was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2020 auction, which is set to take place in Kolkata next month. Known for his aggressive batting, Lynn is a prolific T20 batsman, and despite essaying a couple of useful knocks for the Knight Riders, he was released by the franchise ahead of the upcoming auctions.

Having made his debut with KKR in 2014, Lynn was a key player for the franchise, scoring runs in several big matches. The destructive opener played 7 matches for KKR in 2017, managing 295 runs at an impressive average of 49. Lynn played all the games for KKR in 2018, and he amassed 491 runs from 16 games at an average of 32.

Even in IPL 2019, Lynn's performance was noteworthy, as he scored 405 runs from 13 matches at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 139.65. However, Lynn was quite inconsistent with his knocks throughout the season, and this fact, coupled with his massive price tag of ₹9.6 Cr could have prompted his release from the KKR squad.

With IPL auction around the corner, KKR will certainly be aiming to land an ideal replacement for Chris Lynn. Although Shubman Gill made a good case for himself at the top of the order last season, Robin Uthappa's ouster from the team might prompt the Knight Riders to sign an experienced foreign opening batsman or a middle order batsman.

On that note, here are three batsmen KKR could be eyeing to sign as a potential replacement for Chris Lynn.

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#3 Jason Roy

Jason Roy has played two seasons of the IPL

An established opener for England in the LOI formats, Jason Roy could be a great replacement for Chris Lynn. The former is an attacking batsman who clears boundaries with ease, and is capable of winning matches with his ability to construct quick-fire knocks at the top of the order.

Roy has been a regular member of the English team for a while, especially in the ODIs and T20Is. Roy has scored 743 runs in 32 T20Is at an average of 23.

Roy made his IPL debut in 2017 when he featured for the Gujarat Lions in his first season of the cash-rich league before he shifted to the Delhi Daredevils (Now named Delhi Capitals) for the 2018 season.

The right-hander has played a total of 8 IPL matches from which he has scored 179 runs at an average of 29 and a strike rate of 133.58. Roy, along with Sunil Narine, could form a devastating opening partnership for KKR.

#2 Evin Lewis

Evin Lewis

The swashbuckling Caribbean batsman has earned a big name in the shortest format of the game, playing T20 leagues all over the world, including the IPL.

While Evin Lewis is a popular face in franchise-based cricket, he is also a regular member of the West Indies national side, and is one of the few players to have two international T20 centuries to his credit.

The southpaw has 753 runs from 26 T20Is, but more importantly, he enjoys a notable strike rate of 153 in T20Is. Having made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2018, Lewis scored 382 runs from 13 games at a strike rate of 138.40.

Lewis, however, had a disappointing run in IPL 2019, as he featured in only three matches, often finding himself warming the benches with Quinton de Kock occupying the opener's spot throughout the previous season.

Despite a poor outing last year, Lewis should be a top pick in IPL auction, and he could be a like-for-like replacement for Chris Lynn, in addition to the exciting prospect of him pairing up with his compatriot Sunil Narine at the top of the order.

#1 Colin Munro

Can Colin Munro play the role of a floater for KKR?

An aggressive batsman at the top of the order, Colin Munro a was part of the Delhi Capitals squad last season but has been released by DC ahead of the player auctions in December. Munro is considered as one of the best batsmen in the shortest format of the game and is someone who can essay big knocks at an impressive strike rate.

Munro has acres of experience in the T20 format, having scored 1546 runs from 60 matches for New Zealand, and also has three centuries in T20I cricket.

While his international record is incredible, he hasn't been able to replicate the same performance in IPL. Munro was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders in his debut IPL season, but he failed to make a mark, scoring just 30 runs from four matches.

Munro represented the Delhi-based franchise in IPL 2018 and IPL 2019, but could not make too much of an impact as he scored 147 runs from nine matches at a strike rate close to 137. Despite a poor show in his IPL career so far, he could be expected to do well for KKR.