Which Players will KKR Target in IPL 2025 Auction with INR 51 Crore Purse? Analysing Full Kolkata Knight Riders Wishlist and Key Areas They Need to Fill

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have retained six players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. They have spent INR 69 crores and have INR 51 crores to work with during the auction. Before delving into KKR’s strategy for the auction, let’s analyse each player they have retained and their expertise.

1. Sunil Narine: Sunil Narine is an all-rounder who opens the innings and is one of the best defensive bowlers in the world. He is very strong against spin and acts as an aggressor during the field restrictions. Last season, he seemed to have improved his batting against pace as well. He can bowl all tough overs with the ball.
2. Andre Russell: Andre Russell is among the finest all-rounders in the shortest format and contributes heavily with both bat and ball. He is a ferocious striker of the ball who can take pacers apart, especially on non-shorter-length deliveries. Further, he can bowl hard lengths in the middle and death overs and has done it consistently recently.
3. Rinku Singh: Rinku Singh is a solid pace-hitter with a proven track record in IPL and international cricket. He can bat anywhere from No.5 or below and act as a lower-order batter. He also brings the LHB dimension to the batting unit.
4. Varun Chakravarthy: Among the finest spinners in the country, Varun Chakravarthy is a genuine wicket-taker. His recent improvement has made him a threatening option, and he is equally effective against RHBs and LHBs. He completes KKR’s spin attack.
5. Ramandeep Singh: Ramandeep Singh is among the best pace-hitters in the domestic circuit and has shown good skillsets. He will bat in the lower order and provide impetus to the innings. He can also bowl useful medium pace and give at least two overs.
6. Harshit Rana: Harshit Rana is an all-phase bowler whose best value comes in the middle and death overs. He can hit the deck hard and also has a few slower ones to construct his over well. He is also a handy lower-order batter.

Also Read: Which Players will Rajasthan Royals Target in IPL 2025 Auction with INR 41 Crore Purse? Analysing Full RR Wishlist and Key Areas They Need to Fill

Right now, this is how Kolkata Knight Riders’ Playing XI is set up:

1. Sunil Narine
2. ________________
3. ________________
4. ________________
5. Rinku Singh
6. Andre Russell
7. Ramandeep Singh
8. Harshit Rana
9. ________________
10.  Varun Chakravarthy
11. ________________

Now that it’s clear where the voids are, we can explore how Kolkata Knight Riders might go about their business in the IPL 2025 Auction.

What do Kolkata Knight Riders require in the IPL 2025 auction?

Role No.1 – A RHB opener, who is decent vs spin and wicket-keeping skills as a bonus

1. Jos Buttler: Jos Buttler is everything KKR need at the top. He is a right-hander, a solid player vs pace and spin and a wicketkeeper. He is also a proven performer.
2. Devon Conway: Devon Conway is among the best spin players in the overseas department. He can open the innings and bat at an adequate rate. He is also a wicketkeeper.
3. KL Rahul: KL Rahul’s strike rate might be an issue, but KKR get almost everything they require. He can open, bat in the middle order, and is a good player of spin. He also keeps the wickets, provides a captaincy option and can also bat in the middle order if the team wants.
4. Phil Salt: Phil Salt was an ideal opening partner for Sunil Narine, and KKR can simply re-bid for him. He also provides a wicketkeeping option and has captained England, so he can lead them. The only problem is that his price will be high, and KKR don’t have a big budget.
5. Ben Duckett: Ben Duckett is a budget pick. He handles spin well and also bats aggressively vs pace. He can utilise the powerplay and form a lethal opening pair.
6. Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Comparatively, Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s price won’t be as high as other first-choice players. Hence, KKR can get a solid opener who also keeps the wickets. His recent improvement has been significant.
7. Jonny Bairstow: Ignoring the recent downfall is hard, but Jonny Bairstow is still a decent option. He has solid skillsets vs pace and is also decent vs spin at his peak. He provides a wicketkeeping option and can also bat in the middle order.

Two batters at No.3 and 4, one of them should be a specialist vs spin, preferably an LHB

Note: We have also included a few wicketkeeper batters in case they don’t get a wicketkeeper in their opener.

1. Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer will solve most of the Knight Riders’ problems again. He is a quality spin player and handles fuller-length deliveries well vs pace. He will also take the leadership role back.
2. Nitish Rana: Nitish Rana might have been released, but KKR might try getting him back. He is among the best spin players and can shield pace-hitters around him. He brings the LHB variety and won’t be as expensive as other top options.
3. Jacob Bethell: Jacob Bethell is skilled vs spin and has different shots. Further, he is also terrific vs pace and bowls useful left-arm finger spin. Since he is relatively new, his price might not be significantly high, fitting in KKR’s budget.
4. Harry Brook: Harry Brook is a generational talent and is equally adept against pace and spin. He can be flexible with his batting position and bat anywhere in the middle order. However, his price might get out of KKR’s budget.
5. Rahul Tripathi: A budget pick, Rahul Tripathi has previously worked with the Knight Riders. He is good enough against pace and spin and can bat at a brisk rate. He can also open the innings if required.
6. Venkatesh Iyer: Another previous option, KKR can simply return to Venkatesh Iyer. He can open the innings, bat in the middle order and is capable against pace and spin. There is also some bowling value.
7. Nehal Wadhera: If KKR really want to invest money, they should do it on Nehal Wadhera. Nehal is among the most skilled batters who can handle pace and spin well and should bat at No.4. He brings the LHB dimension and will be a long-term investment, making him an ideal pick for KKR’s middle order.
8. Sameer Rizvi: Sameer Rizvi’s price won’t be as high as the last time. So, KKR can look to invest in him since he is genuinely skilled vs spin. CSK didn’t use him properly, but KKR should slot him at 3 or 4 based on the first wicket that falls.
9. Daryl Mitchell: Daryl Mitchell is another classy player vs pace and spin. He has different gears and can be flexible with his batting position, for he can bat anywhere in the top five. He can also bowl useful medium pace.
10.  Josh Inglis: Josh Inglis provides serious skillsets vs pace and is not bad vs spin, either. He can bat anywhere between No.3 and 5. He also provides a wicketkeeping option.
11. Shai Hope: While Shai Hope is not among the first-choice options, KKR will have to go for him if they don’t get any of the other mentioned wicketkeeper batters. He has shown significant improvements as a T20 batter and can be flexible with his batting position. He will also come at a low price.

Also Read: India Pacer Could Undergo Price Drop in IPL 2025 Auction Despite Comeback, Says Former India Cricketer

Role No.3 – A powerplay specialist, preferably an Indian

1. Vaibhav Arora: Vaibhav Arora fits perfectly. He moves the ball both ways and will be lethal on Kolkata decks, where pacers always get some early help, especially under the lights. He has previously worked with the Knight Riders, and that also goes in his favour.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: While auction dynamics are unpredictable, Bhuvneshwar Kumar might not fetch a big sum. However, he still provides ample value with the new ball and can also be an option at the back end of the innings. He will also get help from home decks.
3. Tushar Deshpande: A genuine new-ball wicket-taker, Tushar Deshpande has proved his mettle in the last couple of seasons. He can generate movement and also gives decent death-over bowling value. He must have learnt a lot under Dhoni.
4. Mohammed Shami: The budget might be an issue, but KKR can look to get Mohammed Shami. There’s a chance his price won’t be exaggeratedly high, given his recent injury issues, and KKR can get him at a reasonable price. He will get ample help from the surface, provide value in other phases, and know the conditions well in Kolkata.
5. Khaleel Ahmed: If KKR want, they can look to get some variety in the bowling attack. Khaleel Ahmed is a powerplay specialist who can move the new ball and bring the left-arm angle. He has done decently in recent years in the league.
6. Mukesh Choudhary: Mukesh Choudhary can be a utility pick. He gets ample help from the new ball and has previously done well in the league. His price will not be too high, either.

Role No.4 – A pacer who provides dual value, especially in the powerplay and death overs

1. Mitchell Starc: Mitchell Starc blew hot and cold, but he is still among the best bets for KKR in this department. He can bring wickets upfront and bowl decently in death overs, even though he is vulnerable. His price won’t be as high as the last auction.
2. Trent Boult: Another player whom KKR can spend money on. Trent Boult will solve powerplay bowling problems and provide better control than someone like Starc in the slog overs. His price will be high, though, since several teams will go after him.
3. Josh Hazlewood: Josh Hazlewood is a solid powerplay and middle-over bowler, but given the options and KKR’s budget, they might go after him. He still provides decent value in the death overs. If used wisely, teams can extract the most out of him.
4. Spencer Johnson: Spencer Johnson can generate serious movement with the new ball. Further, he has improved massively in the death overs and has shown bowling smarts. Again, his price might be out of KKR’s budget, but if possible, KKR should push their budget a bit to get him.
5. Rasikh Dar: Rasikh Dar is a sure performer with the new ball. Further, he has shown encouraging attributes to be a decent death-over bowler as well. He will also be a long-term investment.
6. Akash Madhwal: Given the overall scenario, Akash Madhwal might be the best fit. He can generate late movement and get it done with both new and old ball. He will come at a decent price.
7. Nuwan Thushara: Nuwan Thushara has shown enough skillsets to be a solid new-ball bowler. Further, he also has decent control over his yorkers, even though he can be wayward at times. If they don’t get any of the above-mentioned players, Thushara will be a decent pick.

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