KKR’s skipper, Shreyas Iyer, is once again doubtful for the start of an IPL campaign. After missing the last stint through injury, KKR showed confidence in him, as he was retained as captain this year.
However, they will start the season on a tricky note when their skipper is again a doubtful starter. Report says he might be out for the initial games. Iyer’s unavailability for fielding during Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, despite a sublime 95, due to his struggle with a stiff back, indicates that he may not be available for the early part of the IPL again.
Amidst all the chaos that is going on, KKR have to do some serious thinking in putting out their best XI that they could do without their regular captain. With their regular skipper out and Jason Roy ruled out for the season, the batting looks a little brittle and in turn, may affect their fortunes in the long run.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Shreyas Iyer’s back issues create uncertainty for KKR’s initial matches
With mentor Gautam Gambhir at the helm, Manish Pandey, a possible replacement for Iyer, shall be pointed out by Gambhir, as KKR’s Indian pick, will not complicate the overseas selection. Instead, Manish and Suyash Sharma, their star performer with the ball in IPL 2023, could be exchanged under the impact player rule. KKR have put together a squad that is deep in all facets through the auction preceding IPL 2024, where Mitchell Starc was the marquee addition.
Drawing appreciation from Mr. 360 himself! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XjiRc7hmBq
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 14, 2024
There are a mix of experienced campaigners sprinkled with young talent and enough ammunition in batting, bowling and all-round departments that they’ll be quite comfortable.
However, the absence of their captain has proven to be a problem over the years which they’ll be desperate to sort out, starting in time for the tournament.
KKR’s IPL 2024 auction signings include notable names like KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, and the high-profile addition of Mitchell Starc, who fetched a staggering Rs. 24.75 crore. Other additions include Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, and Sakib Hussain.
Let’s take a closer look at KKR’s squad for IPL 2024:
Wicketkeepers: KS Bharat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Jason Roy (ENG), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sherfane Rutherford (WI), Manish Pandey
All-rounders: Andre Russell (WI), Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh
Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine (WI), Vaibhav Arora, Chetan Sakariya, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Mitchell Starc (AUS), Gus Atkinson (ENG), Sakib Hussain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG)
