5 Worst Signings By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) In IPL History

Kolkata Knight Riders have quite a successful record in the Indian Premier League so far. In the 14 seasons of IPL, KKR has won the titles twice in IPL 2012 and IPL 2014. The team was at the peak of its strength during those seasons under the leadership of former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir. During 13 seasons from IPL 2008 to IPL 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders have managed to enter the playoffs 6 times, including the seasons in which they emerged champions.

In IPL 2021, the franchise struggled to come up with a brilliant show. They lost 5 out of 7 matches and held the second-last 7th spot in the points table; failing to win a couple of matches while chasing low totals. At present, Kolkata Knight Riders have few strong players like Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Sunil Narine, Shubhman Gill, and Nitish Rana among others in the squad.

These players are examples of some good deals that the franchise made during IPL auctions in the past. However, there are few players who did not emerge to be fruitful for the franchise in the earlier editions of the tournament. Here we talk about the 5 worst signings by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL history.

5 Worst Signings By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) In IPL History

Carlos Brathwaite (IPL 2019)

Kolkata Knight Riders bought West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite for a massive amount of Rs. 5 crores during IPL 2019 auction. Having a similar profile like Andre Russell in T20 cricket, Brathwaite is known for smashing big sixes. However, in the two games he played, he could score only 11 runs, getting out for 5 and 6 runs.

With the ball, he was smashed by the opposition team for 29 runs in the 3 overs he bowled during those 2 games. He was also benched for the rest of the games during the season and the Rs. 5 crore-deal for the West Indies all-rounder did not emerge worthy for KKR.

Shivam Mavi (IPL 2018)

Shivam Mavi was purchase by Kolkata Knight Riders during IPL 2018 for Rs. 3 crores. The all-rounder failed to make a mark with both bat and the ball. The right-arm pacer bowled in 9 matches for the franchise during the season, but could only scalp 5 wickets with not picking more than 1 wicket in any of the matches.

He also ended up as an expensive bowler with an economy rate of 9.64. In batting, he was bowled out for a single-digit score in 3 innings out of 4 he played, totaling 13 runs in 4 games at a below-average strike rate of 86.66.

Mitchell Johnson (IPL 2018)

In IPL 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out Rs. 3 crores to buy Aussie cricketer Mitchell Johnson in the squad. The Aussie pacer had shown some good performances in the prior seasons, however, he could not replicate his performance in the 2018 season. He was part of the playing XI in 6 games, and the left-arm pacer could only pick 2 wickets.

He remained wicketless in 4 games out of 6 and emerged as too expensive with his economy rate of 10.28 in the season. Due to his efficiency, he was also benched for the other matches in the season.

Ryan ten Doeschate (IPL 2014)

Ryan ten Doeschate is a Netherlands cricketer. After his incredible batting show in the international circuit, Kolkata Knight Riders bought all-rounder for Rs. 1 crore during IPL 2014 auction. In 7 innings, the right-handed batsman could only pile up 52 runs at an average of 13.

In bowling, he managed to pick only 1 wicket in 4 matches at an economy rate of 7.25. Therefore, the deal did not prove to be worthy for KKR in spite of them winning the title in the season.

Vinay Kumar (IPL 2014)

Vinay Kumar was another costly player that Kolkata Knight Riders bought in IPL 2014 auction. The franchise spent Rs. 2.8 crore to buy the right-arm pacer in the squad. However, Kumar struggled to come up with an impressive bowling show.

In 9 matches, he managed to pick just 7 wickets. He also conceded runs at an expensive economy rate of 8.78.