IPL 2018: Four Players Who Can Replace Injured Chris Lynn For Kolkata Knight Riders

Even before the start of Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders are looking set to suffer a big setback. Their star batsman Chris Lynn looks doubtful for the early stage of the tournament after hurting his shoulder again.

The hard-hitting batsman dislocated his right shoulder after landing awkwardly attempting to field a ball during the T20 tri-series final against New Zealand. Fielding at mid-wicket, he sprinted to his left to stop a ball and reached across his body with his right arm, in an apparent attempt to protect his troublesome left shoulder. The Australian has already undergone three bouts of surgery in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, while attempting to stop the ball, Lynn appeared to jar his right arm on the turf. Cricket Australia later confirmed that the batman had popped the shoulder out of its socket. He did not take part in the game thereafter and was sent for a scan.

The 27-year old has already been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League. And with his participation in the early stages of IPL in doubt, the Knight Riders would be keen to seek a replacement.

So here we are taking a look at five players who the Knight Riders can sign to replace Lynn:

4. Joe Root:

Joe Root going unsold was one of the biggest surprises in this year’s auctions. The England star is one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment.  With an average of over 39 and a strike-rate of close to 130, the England Test skipper would be perfect for the top-order of any team for the shortest format of the game. Moreover, his impressive performance in 2016 World T20 is also enough to show his T20 skills.

4. Eoin Morgan:

Morgan is one of the most experienced English players in the Indian Premier League. However, England’s limited-overs skipper never managed to prove his mettle in the lucrative league. As a result, he went unsold in this year’s auction.

But given his reputation, the Knight Riders can go for the England star who had plied his trade for the franchise in the past. Morgan has an impressive track record in the shortest format of the game. He has scored over 5,000 runs with the help of 26 half-centuries.

2. Hashim Amla:

Hashim Amla was an absolute revelation last year. Known more for playing long and calm innings, he led the batting charts for Kings XI Punjab, scoring 420 runs in just 10 games with the help of 2 centuries and as many fifties.

The Knight Riders can certainly consider him. Moreover, his presence will give the two-time IPL champions the much-needed experience on the field.

1. Martin Guptill:

There is absolutely no denying the fact that each and every franchise would be regretting their decision to not buy the New Zealand opener in this year’s auction. The Kiwi star has looked almost unstoppable in T20Is in recent times. Guptill has scored 317 runs in his last 6 T20I games with the help of one century and three fifties.

Moreover, he has ample experience of playing in the Indian Premier League. He is one name the Knight Riders would certainly think of.