The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced a disappointing season in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), finishing 7th in the points table and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive time. As they begin preparations for the 2024 IPL Auction, KKR’s team management finds themselves at a crucial juncture, contemplating necessary changes to revitalize their squad.
With the aim of addressing their shortcomings and strengthening their lineup, the franchise is likely to consider releasing a few underperforming players. In this article, we analyze three players who could be potential candidates for release, as KKR seeks to rebuild their team and stage a comeback in the upcoming season.
Lockie Ferguson:
Ferguson had been an old contender for the men in purple before he went to the Gujarat Titans for IPL 2022. However, ahead of the 2023 edition, Gujarat traded him back to KKR for a sum of Rs. 10 Crores. However, having been bought at such a hefty price, Ferguson’s performances were rather mediocre.
Struggling with injuries, Lockie Ferguson only played 3 games for the franchise in the season and in those 3 games, he bowled just 7.4 overs. The Kiwi pacer was smashed to all parts of the ground as he leaked 96 runs at an economy rate of 12.52 and picked up just 1 wicket. As a result, he was dropped from the team and didn’t feature in the second half of the league. KKR really struggled with their pace unit this season and releasing Lockie Ferguson would leave them with a huge sum of money to strengthen their pace attack.
Tim Southee:
After having a successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 edition, Tim Southee was retained by the franchise so that he could replicate the same performance for the team. However, as IPL returned to a normal format and KKR got back to playing home and away games, Southee’s impact on the game seemed to have diminished. The Kiwi pacer seemed out of touch and could only feature in 2 games for the franchise as he struggled to find his line and length.
As Southee’s form diminished, the captain’s trust in him diminished as well. Thus, in the 2 games he played for the franchise, Southee was only trusted with 6 overs, in which he was smashed for 79 runs at a hemorrhaging rate of 13.17. Letting Southee go would leave KKR with a sum of Rs. 1.5 crores; money they can use to buy bowlers who would be more effective on the Kolkata pitches.
David Wiese
David Wiese, the South African all-rounder, had a forgettable stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2023 IPL season. After being acquired for a substantial sum of Rs. 1 Crore in the auction, Wiese failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him. Despite being given opportunities, he featured in only three games, and his performances were underwhelming both with the ball and the bat. Wiese’s bowling lacked penetration, and he struggled to make a significant impact with his batting as well.
With KKR in desperate need of a reliable all-rounder who can make vital contributions with both skill sets, the team management may consider releasing Wiese ahead of the 2024 IPL Auction. While it’s true that every player goes through rough patches, KKR might opt for a fresh approach and look for someone who can fill the crucial all-rounder role more effectively. Releasing Wiese would free up resources to invest in a more impactful player who can provide the necessary balance and strengthen KKR’s chances of a successful campaign in the upcoming season.
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