5 Players Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Will Surely Retain For IPL 2023

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League will be held in India from April to June 2023. Before the IPL 2023, the world will witness a neck-and-neck battle in the IPL 2023 auction, with all ten teams eager to get the best-balanced squad.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Shreyas Iyer, had a below-average performance in the IPL 2022. They did not advance to the playoff round, finishing in seventh place with only six wins out of fourteen games. The biggest reason for Kolkata Knight Riders’ failing to deliver in IPL 2022 was a lack of team dedication. Let’s take a look at five players who the Kolkata Knight Riders might retain ahead of the IPL 2023 auction:

5 Players Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Will Surely Retain For IPL 2023

1. Shreyas Iyer:

Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of KKR, was the franchise’s most impactful batsman in the IPL 2022. The right-handed middle infielder scored 401 runs in 14 innings, averaging 31 runs per inning and striking out well almost 136 times. He was one of the players who exuded confidence and was able to provide enough team with much-needed consistency.

Since Shreyas Iyer was named captain of Kolkata before the IPL 2022 season, the franchise will undoubtedly give him another few opportunities to make an impact and lead the team to greater heights in IPL 2023.

2. Andre Russell:

Andre Russell was among the KKR athletes who performed admirably with both the bat and the ball in the IPL. Russell seems to have been a constant part of the KKR team and has made significant contributions over the years.

In IPL 2022, the West Indies all-rounder managed to score 335 runs in 12 innings and was the franchise’s leading wicket-taker, with 17 wickets. Russell’s effectiveness in the IPL 2022 is enough for team management to keep him after the IPL 2023 auction.

3. Nitish Rana:

Nitish Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders’ left-handed batsman, also had a productive IPL season. He was an important part of the team’s top-of-the-lineup lineup, having scored 361 runs in 14 innings at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 143. He had started almost every game. Nitish Rana is a seasoned KKR player who has done exceptionally over the years. The Kolkata Knight Riders will want to keep him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

4. Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav had a successful IPL season in the 15th edition. He was the franchise’s second-highest wicket-taker, with 16 in 12 innings. The benefit of success by an Indian bowler allows the squad to perform an additional foreign player. Umesh Yadav’s performance with the ball is a promising indicator for the KKR franchise, and they will undoubtedly want to keep him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

5. Pat Cummins:

Patrick James Cummins is an Australian international cricketer who currently serves as the vice-captain of the Australia national team across all formats. Cummins was one of the Kolkata Knight Riders players who excelled with both the bat and the ball during the IPL. In IPL 2022, the Australian all-rounder scored 63 runs in five innings and took seven wickets.

Also Read: 5 Players Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Will Surely Retain For IPL 2023