KKR’s Potential IPL 2024 Success Hinges on Gautam Gambhir’s Mentorship: In the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders will attempt to halt a decade-long title drought. KKR is the second-most successful team in IPL history, trailing only the formidable Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, having won the championship twice in 2012 and 2014.
The coveted trophy has remained elusive to the Kolkata Knight Riders since IPL 2014. In 2021, Eoin Morgan’s KKR made it to the IPL final for the first time in seven years. However, they suffered a loss to the Chennai Super Kings, who were the fourth-year champions.
Throughout the previous two IPL seasons, the Kolkata Knight Riders were unable to advance to the quarterfinals. When captain Shreyas Iyer was unable to play due to a back injury in IPL 2023, Nitish Rana took over as the team’s leader, which was a significant setback for the two-time IPL champions. In contrast, the Kolkata Knight Riders were eliminated from the semifinals after finishing seventh in the league stage.
After nine years, the Kolkata Knight Riders will attempt to reverse their two-year losing streak and capture the coveted IPL championship during the upcoming season.
Ultimate KKR Playing 11 for IPL 2024: A Winning Lineup
How did KKR fare in the IPL 2024 auction?
At the IPL 2024 auction in December, the Kolkata Knight Riders made headlines when they broke the bank for Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. Starc became the most expensive player in the IPL when the Kolkata-based franchise signed him for an astounding 24.75 crore.
To secure his services, KKR had to contend with intense bidding competitions from the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. It was anticipated that franchises would vie for Mithcell Starc on account of his remarkable speed and demonstrated ability to strike the ball in both directions.
Mitchell Starc is ‘thrilled’.#IPL2024Auctionpic.twitter.com/U257IiDNwO
— KnightRidersXtra (@KRxtra) December 19, 2023
In preparation for IPL 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders strengthened their reserve by acquiring the services of Mujeeb Rahman, Sherfane Rutherford, Chetan Sakariya, KS Bharat, Ramandeep Singh, Mujeeb Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Shakib Hussain, in addition to Mitchell Starc.
The Gautam Gambhir return
The return of former captain Gautam Gambhir as a consultant gave Kolkata Knight Riders an advantage before IPL 2024. Gambhir is the only KKR captain to win two titles, in 2012 and 2014.
Gautam Gambhir, who played seven seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders (2011–2017), may understand the team’s strategy, difficulties, and dynamics, which will help the players reach their full potential. Gambhir’s tactical aptitude, especially in high-stakes situations, will help coach Chandrakant Pandit and skipper Shreyas Iyer make strategic decisions.
First day at training with this duo ✅ pic.twitter.com/QTjqZKlVlF
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 15, 2024
Gautam Gambhir served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants for the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons before returning to the Kolkata Knight Riders. During this time, he actively engaged in the development and strategic planning of the organization.
Gambhir directed LSG to the tournament semifinals for two consecutive years. Whether the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain can restore the team to prominence through his guidance remains to be seen.
Exceptional batting order for the Kolkata Knight Riders
A strong batting order supports the Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2024. The team has assembled hard hitters capable of delivering devastating blows in any circumstance that may arise during the game. Phil Salt and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have the potential to create a formidable opening pair.
Venkatesh Iyer is capable of playing at the summit and giving the team a solid start. Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer, and Rinku Singh will comprise the middle order. Rinku was a dependable middle-order batsman and an exceptional performer for KKR during the previous IPL season. The return of Captain Iyer for the 2024 IPL was a tremendous benefit for the group.
Catch this season’s first practice match, LIVE on our social media handles 🎥🔴 pic.twitter.com/YcYOTu62VX
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 17, 2024
Phil Salt replaced Jason Roy after Roy withdrew from the competition for personal reasons. However, the Kolkata Knight Riders made a shrewd decision by replacing Jason Roy with Salt, who guarantees the maintenance of an aggressive batting style in the top order.
Lack of options for death bowling
Mitchell Starc can be a reliable death bowler for the Kolkata Knight Riders because to his wicket-taking and run-restriction skills. However, he needs a reliable bowling partner to ease the pressure in the last over.
Vaibhav Arora and Chetan Sakariya are young, yet they can become Mitchell Starc’s death-over friends. Varun Chakravarthy may replace Indian bowlers as Starc’s death bowlers in the IPL until they gain confidence under pressure.
Thatre Russell’s lack of impact in the previous IPL season may force the Kolkata Knight Riders to use spin bowlers in the middle overs to limit Mitchell Starc to the twilight overs.
KKR group
Shreyas Iyer (C) pictured Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Sakib Hussain.
KKR name Dushmantha Chameera as replacement for Gus Atkinson
