IPL Auction 2020: Five players KKR should target in the trade window

Shreyas
Can Dre Russ produce another stunning performance this season? (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
Can Dre Russ produce another stunning performance this season? (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Kolkata Knight Riders had a rather dour campaign especially when we consider how brilliant Andre Russell was throughout the last season. However, apart from him and Shubman Gill, there wasn't much for the KKR fans to cheer for as most of the other regular performers failed to turn up when required.

Their big-money signing in Carlos Brathwaite failed both with the bat and the ball while Harry Gurney and Lockie Ferguson too had sub-par seasons. Thus, most of the issues they thought they had addressed at the auction weren't resolved. Their bowling department and middle order were the areas where they lost out to the other teams.

KKR will be looking to go for a major rebuild in the off-season during the trade window and during the auction. They need to let go of players like Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Brathwaite, etc. and look for new talent.

On that note, let's take a look at five players who KKR should look try to get in the IPL trade window.


#5 Dhawal Kulkarni (Rajasthan Royals)

Dhawal Kulkarni is an expert with the new ball. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
Dhawal Kulkarni is an expert with the new ball. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

There aren't many players in the IPL that are actually able to swing the new ball. With most such players like Deepak Chahar, Ishant Sharma, and Sam Curran already integral parts of their respective teams, an experienced player like Dhawal Kulkarni should be someone who KKR have on their radar.

Kulkarni was used poorly by Rajasthan Royals and in most of the matches, bowled outside his comfort zone of the powerplay. KKR, meanwhile lacked someone who could hit consistent lengths and swing the ball during that phase and can hugely benefit from this deal. With the rise of Oshane Thomas and the success of Jofra Archer, Kulkarni is surplus at RR and the side won't have any trouble letting him go.

With vast experience and decent stats overall, Kulkarni will be a smart acquisition for KKR.

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#4 Keemo Paul (Delhi Capitals)

The young Guyanese has done pretty well in the T20 format. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
The young Guyanese has done pretty well in the T20 format. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

While most might argue that Keemo Paul isn't a full-fledged death bowler, it's practically impossible to sign a frontline death bowler during the trade window because no other side would want to let go of their prized assets. But Paul is clearly a backup bowler in the Delhi Capitals' camp, who already have three quality overseas seamers to give company to Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan, and Harshal Patel.

He is a decent batsman and has shown good character with the ball, with 9 wickets from 8 matches at a decent economy rate of 8.72. He can be the perfect utility player who can provide overs when one of the main bowlers have a bad day. He has a good track record in T20s all over the world and could be a pretty smart acquisition for KKR, as compared to Harry Gurney or Matthew Kelly.

#3 Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians)

Mitchell Mclenaghan is one of the most under-rated bowlers in the league. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
Mitchell Mclenaghan is one of the most under-rated bowlers in the league. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

What KKR lacked last season was someone who could get them wickets whenever required and none of the bowlers, including the spinners were able to control the run flow in the powerplay. Someone who fits the bill in this aspect is the Kiwi quick Mitchell McClenaghan.

The Mumbai Indians pacer was terribly underused last season, featuring in just 5 games. His total haul of just 3 wickets might not convince MI to retain him but that performance doesn't reflect his true capability.

He has often operated as MI's lone strike bowler and even after Jasprit Bumrah's advent, he was still a very effective wicket-taker. He has over 210 T20 wickets in his kitty and is a seasoned player, having played in many T20 leagues after falling out of favor with the national side. His bowling strike-rate of 17.94 in the IPL reflects his identity as a strike bowler and he should be one who KKR look at during the trade window.

#2 Colin Ingram (Delhi Capitals)

Ingram is very short on the on-side. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
Ingram is very short on the on-side. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

One of the most seasoned cricketers in the league, Colin Ingram is a T20 veteran whose abilities are well known to all the teams in the league. But after being bought for a whopping ₹6.4 crore in the auction last season, Ingram had a poor season after a decent start, scoring just 184 runs in 12 matches at a sub-par strike-rate of 119.68.

The one key reason for Ingram's failure was his batting position. He was often pushed down to No. 5 when he bats at No. 3 in most other T20 leagues. He has been in good nick in the off-season, shining in the Caribbean Premier League, Global T20 Canada etc.

Having being part of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, KKR's management would already know his capability and he'll be a very good signing to bolster their top order which lacked a solid batsman last season. While Shubman Gill can open the innings or bat at No. 4, Ingram will be the perfect fit at No. 3.

#1 Karun Nair (Kings XI Punjab)

Karun Nair(L) was provided just one opportunity last season. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)
Karun Nair(L) was provided just one opportunity last season. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Robin Uthappa's failure last season was a major reason for KKR not making it to the playoffs They often collapsed if the openers or Russell didn't have a good game. A like-for-like replacement can be found in Karun Nair, who was shunned by Kings XI Punjab but is actually one of the most talented Indian batsmen in the league.

He was given just one opportunity last season despite David Miller and Mandeep Singh's failures, as KXIP seemed to have made it clear that he was not in their plans. But Nair has shown good intent and composure in the past and could provide what Uthappa should have in the No. 4 position. Bringing in Nair will also allow Gill to open the innings and showcase his full potential.

Nair has often shone in all domestic and List A tournaments. Even in the IPL, he was one of Punjab's better players in the 2018 season and was brilliant for Delhi before he was released by them. With KXIP's reluctance to play him and KKR's woes, Nair could be the perfect solution to their problems.

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Edited by Aditya Joshi