IPL 2020: 4 bowlers KKR should target at the auction
The Kolkata Knight Riders had a mixed campaign in IPL 2019, with a few memorable wins and a couple of dramatic collapses. Andre Russell was undoubtedly the star of their season while the performances of Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana were encouraging too.
The bowling department was where most of the trouble was at, and KKR have responded by releasing 11 players ahead of the auction.
Released Players: Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Shrikant Mundhe, Carlos Brathwaite, Prithvi Raj, Nikhil Naik, KC Cariappa, Matthew Kelly, Joe Denly, Anrich Nortje.
Retained Players: Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Lockie Ferguson, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Harry Gurney, Shivam Mavi.
While getting a good opener at the auction will be one of KKR's goals, just as significant will be their effort to sign a good fast bowler who can lead their pace attack. Both Harry Gurney and Lockie Ferguson haven't done well in Indian conditions, so they need reinforcements in that area
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On that note, let's take a look at four bowlers that KKR should target at the auction.
#4 Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan would be on KKR's wish-list considering his consistent performances in the limited-overs format this year. The all-rounder from England is among the most sought-after T20 bowlers in the world now, and he cemented his place in the national T20I side with some brilliant performances in the series against New Zealand.
Having already played for RCB and SRH in the past, Jordan knows what it takes to succeed in this cash-rich league. Moreover, in the Caribbean Premier League he is part of the Trinbago Knight Riders - a team that has the same ownership and coaching staff as KKR.
Jordan is a good pinch-hitter and can play some big shots with the bat at the death. In addition to that, he's an excellent fielder with a great aim.
His form has been picking up of late, and while he doesn't have as much raw pace as someone like Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc, Jordan has a good set of variations which work well on Indian pitches.
He picked up seven wickets from five games in CPL 2019, and impressed in the T10 League too where he scalped six wickets from five matches at an economy of 8.22 and average of 12.33.
All things considered Jordan is a quality pacer who has a proven record at the death, and KKR should consider getting him.