3 young KKR bowlers to watch out for in IPL 2024 ft. Suyash Sharma
There are many stories in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) build-up going into IPL 2024. The return of Gautam Gambhir, this time as part of the management, the acquisition of Mitchell Starc, and the controversies regarding their captain Shreyas Iyer's annual BCCI contract and fitness are making the headlines.
With a dismal and inconsistent IPL 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders would be desperate to find their lost glory under Gambhir's leadership. They have made it to the playoffs only thrice since 2017.
But the KKR outfit for IPL 2024 is different. With a serious spin attack to bank on, they have added raw pace and look like a dangerous outfit. That being said, let's look at some young KKR bowlers who might make a huge impact on the team's journey in the tournament.
Young KKR bowlers to watch out for in IPL 2024
#3 Sakib Hussain
19-year-old pacer Sakib Hussain might become the first player from the Bihar Ranji team to play in the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him at his base price of INR 20 lakh INR.
A skiddy customer, Sakib has an open chest action without much side-bend. He is not a bowler who goes quick through the air and troubles the batters through swing, but with his quick-arm jerk, he likes to hit the deck hard and bowl into the pitch.
With his unorthodox bowling action, it will take a while for the batters to adjust to that action and his pace.
KKR's middle-overs economy in IPL 2023 (8.36) was the third worst of all teams, and with the impact-player rule, they would certainly look to improve that by using Sakib Hussain as a middle-overs enforcer.
#2 Harshit Rana
If one bowling prospect everyone is excited about, be it the Kolkata Knight Riders or Indian management to groom for the future is Harshit Rana, considering his potential all-phase bowling skillset
The tall, lanky pacer from Delhi impressed KKR management last year as well, with him playing eight matches for the franchise and picking up six wickets at an economy of 9.00.
But this time he has experience with India A on his side, where VVS Laxman worked on his action, and we might see some major tweaks in his bowling with more teeth in his skills.
#1 Suyash Sharma
Suyash Sharma surprised everyone with his leg spin in IPL 2023. Kolkata Knight Riders mostly used the 20-year-old leggie as an impact player before placing him in the starting XI.
In 11 matches, Suyash scalped 10 wickets at an economy of 8.23. His unusual change of pace and side-bended action (for a leg-spinner) created enough doubts in batters' minds.
Adding to this, his deadly googly imparted a lot of revs and was almost unplayable at times.