IPL 2023 Auction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Players, Squad, Retained Players List, Released Players List, Purse Value, Schedule, Players List

IPL 2023 Auction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Players, Squad, Retained Players List, Released Players List, Purse Value, Schedule, Players List.  Kolkata Knight Riders started well in IPL 2022 but later lost their way. It was expected considering the gaps in the squad. With a new coach at the helm, the franchise would look to start afresh. They will have to be active in the trade window to improve their squad ahead of the next season.

Changing of the captain didn’t bring KKR any luck as Shreyas Iyer’s side finished in the bottom half of the table. KKR had done poorly at last year’s auction and so their results weren’t surprising. They need to do better at this year’s auction to bounce back in the IPL. The likes of Aaron Finch, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, and Shivam Mavi were released by the franchise ahead of IPL 2023 auctions.

Kolkata Knight Riders appointed Chandrakant Pandit as their new Head Coach for IPL 2023 and beyond, replacing New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum. Chandrakant Pandit is a high-profile coach in the Indian domestic circuit, having won trophies with Mumbai, Vidharba, and Madhya Pradesh. He is known to get the best out of his cricketers.

KKR traded New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson and Afghanistan wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the IPL 2023 mini-auction next month. KKR added another big name to their squad in India allrounder Shardul Thakur who leaves Delhi Capitals to join the two-time champions in an all-cash deal.

Sam Billings has pulled out of IPL 2023, where he was expected to be a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, saying that his focus is on the longer format with Kent, his county.

Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were looking to release Pat Cummins ahead of the IPL 2023 upcoming mini-auction. But before they could have pronounced their decision, the Australian Test & ODI captain informed KKR that he is not looking to return for IPL 2023. KKR will add 7.25 Cr in their player purse with Pat Cummins’ released from the squad.

IPL 2023 Auction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Players, Squad, Retained Players List, Released Players List, Purse Value, Schedule, Players List

IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders Retained Players: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Traded), Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur (Traded), Lockie Ferguson (Traded), Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh

Among the retained players, skipper Shreyas Iyer is the highest valued Indian player in the squad with a price tag of 12.25 crores but is still quite a lot shy of Andre Russell’s payment of 16 crores.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy will once again prove to be key for the franchise, valued at 12 crores, while Venkatesh Iyer’s retention makes KKR one of the few teams with two capped Indian pace all-rounders. Shardul Thakur, one of the few capped Indian seaming all-rounders, has also made his way to Kolkata Knight Riders from Delhi Capitals in exchange for Aman Khan.

IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders Released Players: Pat Cummins, Sam Billings, Aman Khan (Traded To DC), Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Abhijeet Tomar, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Sharma, Baba Indrajith, Pratham Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Sheldon Jackson

Pat Cummins decided to withdraw from the tournament considering a hectic international schedule. Compatriot Aaron Finch has followed suit albeit his reasons being more personal, with the 2021 World T20 winning captain opting to spend time with his family. English wicketkeeper Sam Billings has decided to bid adieu as well in order to take part in the County season, as has Alex Hales after citing bubble fatigue last season.

Among Indians, yet another wicket-keeper in Sheldon Jackson has been released after he failed to lock in his spot in the first XI last season while the experiment with Ajinkya Rahane has well and truly failed as the veteran departs, thus opening up a lot of slots for KKR to fill ahead of the new season.

IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders Traded Players: Shardul Thakur (from Delhi Capitals), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Lockie Ferguson (from Gujarat Titans)

Kolkata Knight Riders Remaining Purse Value: INR 7.05 crore