Players which KKR should release ahead of IPL auction 2019: Sportsrush presents before you three names which KKR should release soon.

There is no hiding to the fact that Kolkata Knight Riders had made some peculiar decisions at the auction table last year. These decisions, in addition with a few injuries, didn’t leave them in the desired shape.

That being said, with the limited resources that they had under the captaincy of Dinesh Karthik, Knight Riders finished third at the points table, which is worth the praise for their inexperienced squad.

The second of the three franchises to win the IPL title twice, Knight Riders haven’t won another title since 2014. In a bid to become the third team to win the title thrice, they would be considering making full use of the trading window by forcing some changes to their squad.

If reports are to be believed, all the IPL franchises can trade their players till November 15 and that the auction for the next season of the IPL will happen on December 16 for the first time in Goa.

Below are three names which KKR would be wanting to release:

Mitchell Starc

KKR had bought Mitchell Starc for a whopping INR 9.4 crores. With the Australian spearhead being ruled out of the tournament due to a right leg injury, KKR were left with a lot to ponder about.

In his nearly decade-long T20 career, Starc has picked 127 wickets at an average of 17.44, an economy rate of 7.14 and a strike rate of 14.6. His numbers are not a problem for KKR, they never were.

What has it in it to hurt buyers of Starc is his long list of injuries. Buying him at mammoth prices only to see him miss the tournament is the last thing that a franchise owner would be hoping to see.

Having played two Test matches during the ongoing tour of UAE, Starc is highly likely to be preserved for the T20I leg of the tour in a bid to prevent him from any injury. With someone of this track record, one can hardly expect him to last for a 45-day tournament like the Indian Premier League.

Mitchell Johnson

In Mitchell Johnson, KKR had bought another left-arm Australian pacer, albeit for a much lesser price of INR 2 crores. In the six matches which Johnson played this season, he picked up a couple of wickets at an average of 108, an economy rate of 10.28 and a strike rate of 63.

You don’t expect such numbers from your prime overseas bowler and someone as experienced as Johnson. Johnson, 36, had retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year. Hence, there is not much sense in persisting with him in the upcoming season.

R Vinay Kumar

In the two matches that Vinay Kumar played last season, he leaked 65 runs in 3.5 overs, picking up a couple of wickets at an average of 32.50, an economy rate of 16.95 and a strike rate of 11.50.

The way Indian rookie bowlers in Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna were given a go ahead of Vinay Kumar spoke highly about the franchise’s belief in the latter’s abilities. With Kamlesh Nagarkoti in the side, even he is likely to be chosen ahead of Vinay Kumar, who is no longer the bowler that he used to be.

By releasing Vinay Kumar, KKR will get INR 1 crore to buy a suitable replacement.

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