An in-depth preview of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction including their strengths, weaknesses, purse remaining, players to target and more.

KKR have been inconsistent since they last won the IPL in 2014. They were exceptional on some days, but struggled on most others to finish seventh on the table in 2023. Heavily dependent on spin, KKR have struggled to adapt to the bouncier Eden Gardens track of late, and will hope the inclusion of Gautam Gambhir – the only captain under whom they have won the IPL – as mentor for the 2024 season helps them improve.

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 auction preview: Trades, full squad, purse & slots remaining

Trades

Kolkata Knight Riders have not traded any players before the 2024 IPL thus far.

Players released

Aarya Desai, David Wiese, Johnson Charles, Kulwant Khejroliya, Litton Das, Lockie Ferguson, Mandeep Singh, N Jagadeesan, Shakib Al Hasan, Shardul Thakur, Tim Southee, and Umesh Yadav.

Squad before auction

Andre Russell, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Jason Roy, Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, and Venkatesh Iyer.

Purse remaining (in INR)

32.7 crore

Slots remaining

12 (4 overseas)

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 auction preview: Strengths

A threatening spin unit

Narine, Varun and Suyash bowling in tandem makes it tough for any batting unit. While Narine has struggled for wickets across the last two seasons, he is economical and has experience on his side. Varun was the side’s leading wicket-taker in 2023, while mystery spinner Suyash will be the X-factor.

A strong Indian core

KKR have a solid Indian core, with Venkatesh and Rana at the top, and Shreyas and Rinku to follow. Rana, Rinku and Venkatesh all made more than 400 runs last year, while Shreyas’ return (he missed 2023 due to an injury) will be an additional boost. Rinku is India’s designated finisher on the T20I side currently, and his rise has been one of the most inspiring stories from the franchise.

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 auction preview: Weaknesses

Russell’s form

Russell has blown hot and cold in the last few seasons and his form has been a major cause of concern. He averaged 20.64 in 2023 and has made more than 250 runs only once since 2020. His fitness issues also have hurt KKR and his dismal run has affected the batting depth.

Need lots of pacers

KKR released Ferguson, Umesh, Southee and Thakur, and desperately need at least three quality quicks, two of whom should ideally be overseas players. KKR conceded 9.30 runs an over in the 2023 IPL, but the quicks went for nearly 11; it was one of their biggest weakness in the edition.

The opening slot

KKR had a strike rate of 130 in the powerplay in 2023, and lack of blazing starts has piled on the pressure on the middle order. They have used 12 players since last year, and their failure to find a settled duo at the top has been their downhill.

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 auction preview: Potential first XI

KKR’s current squad needs major additions in the auctions to make a formidable XI.

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 auction preview: Players to target

Quicks: KKR need at least two experienced pacers in their starting XI. They can target Josh Hazlewood to lead the pace attack, while someone like Gerald Coetzee could find the conditions at Eden Gardens helpful. Harshal Patel could also be picked.

Openers: KKR have the budget to go for a sought-after player. Travis Head, who demolished India at both the ICC trophy finals this year, can be a top pick. The openers have averaged just over 17 since the last IPL and have struggled with strike rate as well, and the inclusion of Head could solve the woes.