IPL Auction 2022: 3 Pacers Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Will Target In The Mega Auction

Given how Kolkata Knight Riders performed in the first leg of IPL 2021, perhaps, very few people would have predicted them to reach the playoffs. They were languishing at second from the bottom of the points table at that time. Come to the second leg of the tournament, KKR impressed one and all with their all-round performances.

They registered a string of wins and not only reached the playoffs but also went on to play the final against CSK. Kolkata Knight Riders, unfortunately, couldn’t win the title as they lost to Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash. Nevertheless, they would look to win the title in the upcoming edition.

They have retained four players for the next edition, namely Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sunil Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer. KKR had some notable fast bowlers as well but they decided to let them go.

Perhaps, they will look to acquire them back in the auctions or might target some new faces. Here’s a look at three pacers that Kolkata Knight Riders will target in the Mega Auctions.

IPL Auction 2022: 3 Pacers Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Will Target In The Mega Auction

1. Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins made headlines in the 2020 edition of IPL after Kolkata Knight Riders bought his services for a whopping amount of 15.5 crores. He dished out impressive performances with both bat and ball that year and lived up to all the expectations.

Cummins bowled well in the first leg of IPL 2021 as well but wasn’t available for the second half of the season. Kolkata Knight Riders should look to buy him again at the auctions. They are likely to, once again, engage in a bidding war to acquire his services and might spend more than how much they spent in 2020.

2. Lockie Ferguson

Due to the presence of Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson didn’t get the opportunity to bowl a lot in the 2020 edition of the IPL. However, he ensured whenever the opportunity comes his way, he makes the most of it. He played 5 matches in IPL 2020 and managed to pick 6 wickets at an impressive economy of under 8.

The absence of Pat Cummins in the second half of IPL 2022 helped Lockie Ferguson get more opportunities. He showed his class during the tournament, picking 13 wickets in just 8 games at an average of 17.23. Lockie Ferguson impressed one and all with his searing pace and bounce. He is likely to cause a bidding war at the auctions and KKR can be one of the franchises that would be involved in that.

3. Trent Boult

Kolkata Knight Riders already have got the services of Andre Russell. The West Indies all-rounder has the experience of bowling in the middle-overs as well as in death overs. KKR would be looking for someone who could start off well in the power play. And, there couldn’t be a better choice than Trent Boult.

He is one of the best new-ball bowlers in the world right now. With his ability to swing the ball both ways, Boult makes life difficult for the batsmen in the power play overs.  And, thus KKR would be interested in acquiring his services in the mega-auctions.