Summary
Kolkata have been inconsistently dangerous in the IPL, winning two of the last four tournaments yet failing to qualify in the other two. Last year was a disappointment following the success in the previous season, but KKR still only finished a point behind second as they only just missed out on a top four place. The narrow margins in the final games were a bitter pill to swallow, particularly as they were defeats to their direct rivals, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
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| KKR were champions in 2014 but were unable to challenge sufficiently last time out (PHOTO: PTI - via the New Indian Express) |
Andre Russell was the star man for the Knight Riders last year, scorching 326 runs at an average of 36.22. The West Indian all-rounder bludgeoned his way to three half centuries, with his strike rate over his 11 innings a phenomenal 192.89. He also took 14 wickets at an average of 23.14 as he was named player of the tournament.
The batting and bowling did not quite live up to that of the 2014 season, however, with Sunil Narine and Shakib Al-Hasan among those unable to repeat their previous heroics. In fact the pair only played 12 matches between them in 2015, in comparison to the 29 they played in IPL 8. Morne Morkel continued to perform in 2015 as did, to a certain extent, Umesh Yadav. The pace duo took 20 wickets between them in 2015, only three less than they took in 2014.
The batting still provided depth and danger last season, but not to the same extent as their title-winning 2014 season. Robin Uthappa, the star of 2014 when he scored 660 runs, did not quite perform in the same consistent form in 2015, averaging almost 15 less and only passing fifty once, in comparison to the five he made the previous year. Manish Pandey was another disappointment, scoring almost half as many runs as he had done in 2014. There were consistencies, however, with Gautam Gambhir making over 300 runs once again, but at a typically slow rate. Yusuf Pathan, too, produced runs when they mattered, launching sixes almost at will.
Key players
Andre Russell
Russell is a premier all-rounder in world cricket. He strikes the ball a long way and very powerfully as well as being a fine finisher - see West Indies' recent World t20 semi-final against India. He is also a quick bowler, capable of hitting 90mph and bowling searing bouncers.
To complete his typical West Indies all-rounder profile, Russell is also electric in the field, with a bullet arm, good hands and speed comparable to his Jamaican compatriots.
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| 'Dre Russ' is a must-have in any t20 team (PHOTO: Jan Kruger-IDI) |
He was a key member of the victorious West Indies World t20 team, putting in a typically all-round performance across the whole of the tournament. With the bat, Russell was his usual brutal self and his best knock with the bat came in the semi final against India.where he put on 80 in just 39 balls with Lendl Simmons.
Russell helped himself to four maximums as he finished unbeaten on 43 off just 21 balls. With the ball, Russell was again impressive as he claimed nine wickets in the tournament. While not always economical, the 27-year-old always looked threatening and bowled brilliantly in the Final, taking 1-21 off his four overs.
Yusuf Pathan
Pathan, while inconsistent, is one still one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL and is capable of slaying any attack. He performed admirably last year, topping the KKR batting averages at 44.57 after scoring 312 runs in 12 innings. Indeed, Pathan has only really had two poor seasons batting-wise, in 2009 and 2012. He averaged just 19.4, somewhat ironically, in KKR's title-winning campaign and just 20.25 in the IPL played in South Africa in 2009.
Pathan's bowling has declined somewhat in the past few years and he has not been used as regularly by Gambhir. He still remains a useful option for the Knight Riders, but he is now arguably just a part-timer. One thing is for sure, however, and that is that Pathan will be on hand to produce big innings in typical Yusuf style - he doesn't have an IPL strike rate of 146.96 for nothing.
Robin Uthappa
Uthappa had a sensational 2014 season, scoring an incredible 660 runs in 16 innings at an average of 44, whilst striking at 137.78. Uthappa was in imperious form throughout the tournament, playing a large part in the Knight Riders' success.
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| Uthappa has a fantastic IPL record and is a consistent option at the top of the order (PHOTO: BCCI via IPLT20.com) |
The 'keeper-batsman has what can only be described as a brilliant IPL record, averaging 29.96 over the course of 120 matches, with 14 fifties. Indeed, Uthappa has really only endured one bad season and like Pathan, it was back in 2009 in South Africa.
The 30-year-old averaged just 15.9 in 15 games and his strike rate was a lowly 102.94. Uthappa's next lowest average was in 2011 when he averaged 26.4 - not the worst.
The 30-year-old averaged just 15.9 in 15 games and his strike rate was a lowly 102.94. Uthappa's next lowest average was in 2011 when he averaged 26.4 - not the worst.
Key auction buys
Colin Munro
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| Munro is a form batsman and will be looking to stake a claim for a place in the KKR side (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
Such dynamic hitting and good form meant it was somewhat of a surprise to see him released by the Mumbai Indians, but it was in turn no surprise that Munro was snapped up in the resulting auction. A strongly-built left-hander, Munro will most likely be challenged by Shakib and Chris Lynn for a spot in the side.
John Hastings
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| The burly Australian may well get the nod ahead of Morne Morkel for a place in the KKR setup (PHOTO: Darrian Traynor - CA) |
In terms of the IPL, Hastings has played just once. That was back in 2014 for Chennai Super Kings where he took 1-29 from his three overs. He also represented Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011 but never played for the now-defunct franchise.
Hastings played just once for Australia in the World t20, scoring three off four balls and going wicketless in his three overs. Aussie legend Shane Warne even suggested the Australians made a mistake in not playing Hastings more in the tournament.
Hastings played just once for Australia in the World t20, scoring three off four balls and going wicketless in his three overs. Aussie legend Shane Warne even suggested the Australians made a mistake in not playing Hastings more in the tournament.
Jaydev Unadkat
A quiet auction saw the Knight Riders boost their homegrown bowling depth with the addition of 24-year-old Jaydev Unadkat who returned to the franchise he first represented. Unadkat did not have a regular spot in his first three IPLs, playing just 11 times. But his best season to date came in 2013 where he took 13 wickets at 28.46, alongside an economy rate of 7.55 for the Royal Challengers.
Subsequently, Delhi Daredevils picked him up in the 2014 auction, a season that would see Unadkat take nine wickets in nine games at an average of 30. He was released by the Daredevils at the end of that season, only to be bought back for the 2015 season - a season where Unadkat featured just once.
Potential starting XI
Gambhir, Uthappa, Pandey, Shakib, Russell, Y Pathan, S Yadav, Chawla, Narine, U Yadav, M Morkel
Squad analysis
As usual, the Knight Riders boast a strong squad. It is likely that Russell will be joined by Sunil Narine in taking an overseas slot, along with Morne Morkel - although he could be threatened by Jason Holder and Hastings. The most intriguing battle for an overseas position is most likely between Shakib, Chris Lynn and Munro.
There may well be scope to play two out of the three if the overseas bowling slot goes to Unadkat, for example, instead of Morkel et al. Shakib is a strong option to play following his good form in the World t20 for Bangladesh and his notoriously tidy bowling. However, there will be quite a battle between Munro and Lynn, two in-form and powerful strikers.
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| Narine is a crucial player for KKR and it will be interesting to see how he goes after missing the World t20 through the suspension of his action (PHOTO: BCCI via Indian Express) |
Narine has been a key player for KKR in their two recent successes, in 2012 and 2014, with his IPL record simply outstanding. His numbers have been slightly hampered by a quiet 2015 season, but nevertheless his record speaks for itself. 74 wickets in 55 games at 17.77 with an economy rate of 6 is ridiculously good and it will be interesting to see Narine bowl after missing the World t20 with a suspension.
The batting is strong with a settled Indian top three and the power and talent of Russell, Pathan and Suryakumar Yadav to provide fireworks if needed at the backend of the innings. The bowling is another strength, but it will rely on Narine refinding form and Umesh Yadavbeing consistent as well as Morne Morkel, who was relatively expensive in the ODI series against England in February.
Prediction
It is a strong squad and one with a winning mentality. They have genuine star quality and match winners throughout. They will be a team to fear and will look to improve on last year's disappointing fifth place.
Verdict: challenging for play offs, third or fourth
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