IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Which Can Be Retained By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

While all eyes are on T20 World Cup, IPL franchises are busy finalizing their retentions list before the Mini-Auction. The BCCI has set a November 16 deadline for the franchises to send the final list of retained players. Franchises can retain up to 15 players this time and will be forced to release the rest of the 10.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), under the new leadership of Shreyas Iyer, had a below-average performance in IPL 2022. They failed to reach the playoff stage, as the men in purple finished in the 7^th position, winning just 6 matches from the 14 games.

KKR’s biggest reason for their failure to perform in IPL 2022 was the lack of team effort. KKR players performed in patches. Shreyas Iyer, as a captain was also not as effective, as people expected from him. However, for KKR, a few players performed better. Let us look at the 3 players Kolkata Knight Riders can retain ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Which Can Be Retained By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Nitish Rana

The left-handed batsman for KKR, Nitish Rana also had a good IPL with the bat. He provided a valuable contribution to the team at the top of the order, scoring 361 runs in 14 innings, at an average of 28, and a strike rate of 143. He had started in almost all the matches. Nitish Rana is an experienced player for KKR and has performed consistently over the years. The Kolkata Knight Riders franchise will like to retain him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav had a good IPL in the 15^th edition. He was the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise, picking 16 wickets in 12 innings. The advantage of a good performance by an Indian bowler gives the opportunity for the team to play an extra foreign player. Given Umesh Yadav’s good show with the ball, the KKR franchise will surely like to retain him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

Andre Russell

Andre Russell was one of the integral cogs of the KKR setup who had a good IPL both with the bat and ball. Russell has been a consistent member of the KKR squad over the years and has provided valuable contributions.

In IPL 2022, the West Indies all-rounder scored 335 runs in 12 innings and was also the highest wicket-taker for the franchise, picking 17 wickets. Russell’s performance in the IPL 2022 is sufficient for the team management to retain him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction

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