IPL 2022: CSK vs KKR- 3 Kolkata Knight Riders Players For Whom This Could Be The Last Tournament

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)  kick off their IPL 2022 campaign by playing their first game against CSK. The side has a chance to avenge defeat in the first game of a new season. A total of 74 matches will be played across the four venues in Maharashtra. 20 matches each will be played at the Wankhede Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium while 15 games each will be played at the Brabourne Stadium and the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are placed in group A alongside Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants. The two-time IPL champions made it to the IPL 2021 final but lost to CSK.  IPL 2022 will be a 10-team event with franchises from Lucknow and Gujarat being added to the scene.

Meanwhile, in this article, we will look at three players from the current Kolkata Knight Riders squad for whom IPL 2022 might be the last IPL season of their careers.

IPL 2022: CSK vs KKR- 3 Kolkata Knight Riders Players For Whom This Could Be The Last Tournament

Sheldon Jackson

Jackson is one of the veterans from the Indian domestic circuit who has been devoid of getting too many opportunities at the IPL and even in the international level. He was first picked by KKR in IPL 2016 but has played only four games so far in the tournament. Jackson is the wrong side of his 30s and with the format requiting younger players, this season might well be his last. Jackson along with Sam Billings are the only two specialist keepers in the KKR squad for IPL 2022. Jackson being an Indian cricketer might get the nod ahead of Billings keeping the team combination in mind.

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane was one of Kolkata Knight Riders’ final few picks in the IPL 2022 mega auction. They got him for his base price of 1 Crore. He is most likely to bat at number four in the KKR playing XI. Rahane is ageing 33 currently but was not favoured by any other team apart from KKR. He has also fallen out of favour from the Indian Test squad due to his poor run of form. Rahane might well fall out of favour from the KKR if he does not contribute substantially with the bat this season.

Rinku Singh

The southpaw is another player who is yet to prove himself in KKR colours. He was rebought at the mega auction. He is not someone who can make it to the first XI. However, he has to prove himself when he gets his opportunity with the bat. So far, Rinku has played 10 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders and scored just 77 runs. This season might well be his make or break season in the IPL.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Kolkata Knight Riders Unveils Its Official Jersey Ahead Of The IPL Season