IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: The two-time IPL champion Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to have a busy and tense day at the upcoming mini auction in Kochi on December 23. The Shreyas Iyer-led KKR finds itself in a huge fix. They have a total of 11 slots to fill, but the problem is that their purse allows them to spend only Rs 7.05 crore. With key roles requiring suitable replacements, what could be KKR’s strategy going into the auction, and which players are they likely to target? Follow IPL 2023 Auction Live updates with InsideSport.IN.
IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: Shreyas Iyer led KKR in HUGE fix, 11 slots to fill with only 7.05CR in hand: Check Auction strategy of Kolkata Knight Riders: Follow IPL Auction LIVE
Time to voice your opinions, fam 👂#AmiKKR #IPLAuctions #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/zJE24S17Y6
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2022
Kolkata Knight Riders finished at the seventh spot in IPL 2022. The team finished with six wins and eight losses, but most importantly failed to cash in on the early momentum. The preparations for this year’s auction began early for for KKR. After letting go a few of their star players, the men in purple and gold have traded in all-rounder Thakur from Delhi Capitals, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Lockie Ferguson from Gujarat Titans.
Kolkata Knight Riders Overview
- Retained players: Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh
- Released players: Pat Cummins, Sam Billings, Aman Khan (traded), Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Abhijeet Tomar, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Sharma, Baba Indrajith, Pratham Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Sheldon Jackson
- Traded players: Shardul Thakur (traded from DC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (traded from GT), Lockie Ferguson (traded from GT)
- Purse left: Rs 7.05 Crore
- Slots left: 11 (3 overseas)
What is the Team composition like?
KKR currently have a 14-man squad with four pace and two spin bowling options. The 2-time champions also have dependable first-choice top-order batters. However there are many underlining gaps to fill with very little money available at their disposal.
What is Kolkata’s requirement at the IPL 2023 mini auction?
- An Indian opening batter to potentially partner Gurbaz. The one should be adaptable to team requirements to score runs quickly or set the platform for the middle-order.
- A death bowling specialist to got with a back up option for all-rounder Andre Russell give his history of injuries.
- An Indian wicketkeeper batsman who can be used as a floater in the batting order.
- Back-ups for some of the first-choice players.
Over 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ IPL runs with a highest score of 1️⃣0️⃣6️⃣ 🙌🏻
Which Team will be looking to strengthen their batting with the experience of @mayankcricket in the #TATAIPLAuction 🤔 pic.twitter.com/v4dAQB5rKj
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 17, 2022
Who could be the potential targets?
a. Kusal Perera: At a base price of Rs 1 Crore, Sri Lankan Kusal Perera can be a perfect choice for KKR as its opener. The southpaw is an experienced T20 player, who can easily fit into the role of an aggressor at the top of the order.
b. Phil Salt: England’s Phil Salt has a base price of Rs 2 crore. KKR may simply target the Englishman to address their immediate need for an aggressive opener. Salt has a strike rate of more than 160 in international T20. However, with a limited budget and other teams likely to sign Salt, KKR may find it difficult to acquire the aggressive right-hander.
c. Mayank Agarwal: After being released by Punjab Kings, Mayank Agarwal is searching for a new home in IPL 2023. At a base price of Rs 1 Crore, KKR can go after the Karnataka skipper, to boost their middle order worries.
d. David Wiese: Namibia all-rounder David Wiese could be a perfect foil for injure prone Andre Russell for the 2-time champions. The 37-year-old was excellent for Namibia at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. He is also a quality death bowler, something which is KKR’s top most priority.
🚨 NEWS 🚨: TATA IPL 2023 Player Auction list announced. #TATAIPLAuction
Find all the details 🔽https://t.co/fpLNc6XSMH
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 13, 2022
IPL Auction 2023 – Key details
- The auction is scheduled for December 23 in Kochi.
- The purse value of all teams has been increased by 5 crores, making a total of INR 95 crores for each team.
- Out of their total purse value, the franchises need to spend a minimum of 75% during the auction event.
- Earlier, from a list of 991 players, a total of 369 players from 10 teams were shortlisted. However, 36 additional players were added to the final list on request of the teams, making a total of 405 players to be presented at the IPL auction.
- Out of 405 players, 273 are Indian cricketers, and 132 are overseas, including four from associate nations.
- The total capped players are 119, uncapped players are 282 and 4 from associate nations.
- A maximum of 87 slots are now available, with up to 30 being allocated for overseas players.
- The auction will start at 14:30 IST.
IPL 2023 Auction LIVE: Shreyas Iyer led KKR in HUGE fix, 11 slots to fill with only 7.05CR in hand: Check Auction strategy of Kolkata Knight Riders: Follow IPL Auction LIVE
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