IPL 2020: How KKR and RR Stack Up Before the Auctions

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Updated: November 19, 2019
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The transfers ahead of IPL 2020 auctions in Kolkata on December 19 is now complete. All the teams have finalized their squads going into the auctions on December 19 in Kolkata. While there have been big names who have been released by their franchises after a long stay, certain experienced players have been retained as well.

Here’s a look at how the squads of Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals look after the initial transfer window.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Image result for karthik-russell ipl — Photo Source: (BCCI)

One of the most successful teams of the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders did not have a season to remember in the 2019 IPL. After finishing in the top 4 since 2016, the eleventh season did not go as desired by the KKR team management. They lost 8 of their 14 matches as Dinesh Karthik’s captaincy became a talking point. It will be interesting to see if they still go with Karthik as their captain or name a new captain in the upcoming auction. Andre Russell was the only in-form player with the bat for Kolkata, while their bowling group in total had an ordinary outing as well. Sunil Narine, their premier spinner finished with just 10 wickets to his name.

Also Read: List of Players Released, Retained by Teams, Slots left and Purse Available

One of the most successful teams of the competition, Kolkata Knight Riders did not have a season to remember in the 2019 IPL. After finishing in the top 4 since 2016, the eleventh season did not go as desired by the KKR team management. They lost 8 of their 14 matches as Dinesh Karthik’s captaincy became a talking point. It will be interesting to see if they still go with Karthik as their captain or name a new captain in the upcoming auction. Andre Russell was the only in-form player with the bat for Kolkata, while their bowling group in total had an ordinary outing as well. Sunil Narine, their premier spinner finished with just 10 wickets to his name.

With an aim to revamp their squad ahead of the next season, KKR released as many as 11 players including the likes of Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa and Piyush Chawla, all of whom were part of the team since 2014.

They have retained the senior players in the team like Karthik, Russell and Narine and also opted to hold back Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti hinting at the fact that they are ready to invest in the youth this season as well. With still Rs 35.65 Crore rupees remaining in the purse, it will be interesting to see what choices to Kolkata make in the auctions.

This is the squad of Kolkata Knight Riders after the initial transfers are over.

Released Players of KKR

Anrich Nortje, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Lynn, Joe Denly, KC Cariappa, Matt Kelly, Nikhil Naik, Piyush Chawla, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Robin Uthappa, Shrikant Mundhe

Retained Players of KKR

Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Harry Gurney, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Siddhesh Lad, Sunil Narine

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Image result for Smith-Rahane IPL — Photo Source (BCCI)

Rajasthan Royals released their most capped player Ajinkya Rahane who played 100 matches for the franchise between 2011 to 2015 and again in 2018 and 2019. He also led Rajasthan in 24 matches as well. Rahane was also their top run-getter having scored 2810 runs at an average of 34.26 and an S/R of 122.65.

Steve Smith missed the IPL 2018 season after being banned by Cricket Australia over his infamous involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in the South Africa Test series in March last year. Smith made a comeback in IPL 2019 but did not have performances to show for.

Rajasthan finished seventh in the points table last year losing as many as 8 games. There were captaincy issues also in the side as Ajinkya Rahane who was named the skipper of the side ahead of the start of the season was replaced by Smith midway. The fortunes though did not change for the Royals.

They have released 11 players in total including Jaydev Unadkat, who was the highest sold player last season at 11.5 crores. Oshane Thomas, Ish Sodhi, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny are some names among the other players who were released as well.

While they retained the likes of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and Sanju Samson to maintain the core of the side, they traded the likes of Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia.

Also Read: How does Delhi Capitals & Kings XI Punjab Shape Up After Initial Transfer Window

The Shane Warne coached side have now 11 slots left with a remaining purse of Rs 28.90 Crore rupees. Apart from being the first winners of the IPL in 2008, the Royals do not have a past to remember in the league so far. They were also banned from the league alongside Chennai Super Kings for two seasons after both teams were involved in match-fixing scandal as per media reports.

A new season, however, presents a new opportunity for the Royals to leave an impression in the competition.

Released Players of RR

Aryaman Birla, Ashton Turner, Ish Sodhi, Jaydev Unadkat, Liam Livingstone, Oshane Thomas, Prashant Chopra, Rahul Tripathi, Shubham Ranjane, Stuart Binny, Sudhesan Midhun

Retained Players of RR

Ankit Rajpoot, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mahipal Lomror, Manan Vohra, Mayank Markande, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Steve Smith, Varun Aaron