Where They Finished in This Cycle
- 2022: 7th
- 2023: 7th
- 2024: Champions
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Season at a Glance
After finishing 7th in successive seasons, Kolkata Knight Riders made a few tweaks to their personnel. Gautam Gambhir returned, this time as a mentor. Upon his return, he advocated for Sunil Narine’s promotion up the order. Initially, there was skepticism about this move, but Narine dispelled all doubts by forging a thrilling partnership at the top with Phil Salt.
Questions arose regarding the substantial amount spent on Mitchell Starc, especially considering his shaky start upon returning to the competition. However, Starc, known for his performance on big occasions, stepped up at the right time and was eventually named the player of the match in the final.
In a tournament dominated by batters, KKR stood out with their bowling prowess. Varun Chakaravarthy rediscovered his form, and Harshit Rana emerged as an unsung hero, contributing significantly to their success.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Player of the Season: Sunil Narine
No player in the history of the competition had won the player of the tournament award three times. Sunil Narine’s resurgence surprised many, given his declining bowling performance in recent years and his previous struggles with the bat. Initially, Narine had a clear weakness against extreme pace when first promoted up the order, but this season, that vulnerability was nowhere to be seen. He scored nearly 500 runs at a fantastic strike rate of 180.74.
With the ball, Narine made an impressive comeback. After a lackluster previous season, he picked up 17 wickets and maintained an economy rate of 6.69, particularly noteworthy in a tournament where batting records were being shattered. Narine’s all-around performance was instrumental in KKR’s success this season.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Best Game
An absolute roller-coaster and a contender for the game of the season! Phil Salt’s explosive start and a strong finish saw KKR post a formidable total of 222. When RCB lost Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis early, it seemed they would crumble easily. Kohli’s dismissal came with a lot of drama, adding to the tension. However, Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar put on an incredible show, stunning the home crowd. At 137/2 in 11 overs, RCB appeared to be cruising.
The game took a dramatic turn when the seasoned campaigners Andre Russell and Sunil Narine spearheaded a KKR fightback. In this topsy-turvy match, RCB needed 21 from the final six balls with only two wickets remaining. With Mitchell Starc set to bowl the final over, the game seemed all but over. Yet, Karn Sharma provided a stunning twist by hitting three sixes. With three runs needed off two balls, Starc dismissed Karn, and a run-out on the final delivery saw KKR pull off a sensational heist!
Positives- A Move That Worked For Kolkata Knight Riders
In addition to Sunil Narine’s promotion, Kolkata Knight Riders’ bold decision to break the auction record for Mitchell Starc was justified. Despite a shaky start where he conceded 100 runs off his first 8 overs, Starc proved his worth as the tournament progressed. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, hailed as the most destructive opening pair of IPL 2024, struggled against the Australian pacer in the IPL playoffs. This ultimately paved the way for KKR’s victory in both encounters against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Negatives: A Move That Didn’t Work For Kolkata Knight Riders
In what was nearly a flawless season, Kolkata Knight Riders scarcely made any missteps. They suffered defeat in only three games throughout the tournament.
Stars of This Cycle For Kolkata Knight Riders
Andre Russell
At the conclusion of IPL 2023, there were concerns about the decline of the star West Indies all-rounder. However, he has made a remarkable comeback this season, building on a decent campaign in 2022 as well. With 43 wickets, this cycle has been his most productive with the ball, showcasing his effectiveness even in the death overs.
Who Should They Retain Ahead of The 2025 Mega Auction
Ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, Kolkata Knight Riders should strongly consider retaining both Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, despite their age of 36. Their current form suggests they still have at least two more productive years to offer. However, the team might face a dilemma regarding the Indian contingent, given the plethora of options available. Captain Shreyas Iyer could likely be prioritized over others for retention.
*Retention/RTM rules ahead of the mega auction haven’t been finalized by the IPL GC. This is just a hypothetical case.
