IPL 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders: Why overseas stars are crucial for KKR

The two-time IPL champions are aiming to end their trophy drought this season. The last tie they got their hands on the coveted trophy was back in 2014, and since then it has been just one final appearance for them in 2021, which ended in a defeat.

And ahead of this year’s IPL, things are looking gloomy for the KKR side yet again. Some baffling decisions in the trading window left them short in the auction table, and that was a significant dent for them. And now just before the start of the tournament, they are facing more troubles.

KKR IPL 2023: Shreyas Iyer may miss entire IPL

KKR’s captain supremo Shreyas Iyer is poised to be sideline for this IPL season with a back injury. Iyer has been tormented by his back issue for the last couple of months and may require a surgery as he hopes to resolve the problems.

A surgery will mean the Indian batter will be ruled out from the IPL and that is a big blow to the franchise. Iyer is by far the best Indian batter in the squad and the ramifications of his absence will definitely hurt KKR.

Why overseas KKR stars need to step up?

KKR do have a settled overseas lineup in their roster. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are two mainstays and are with them for a decade now. The Caribbean duo have been stalwarts at the franchise and would have to lead from the front again this year.

Along with them, Shakib Al Hasan was acquired in the auction, so were David Wiese and Litton Das. Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were traded in from Gujarat Titans while Tim Southee was retained.

The KKR side is devoid of Indian players who are in our around the national team. Apart from Shreyas Iyer, newly added Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav in Test format, none of the KKR players are in the fray for Indian team’s selection.

With the likes of Venkatesh Iyer and Varun Chakravarthy not at the best of forms, the onus will be on the foreign stars to bail their team out this year.

Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan will be the default three overseas choices. Shakib’s all-around ability will be pivotal for the Knights, so is the hard-hitting prowess of Andre Russell. Both Russell and Narine didn’t have the best of times in ILT20, and the duo will have to turn things around in the IPL.

Another big job for the overseas stars will be to keep things calm in the KKR dressing room. When the chips are down, players like Russell, Shakib and Southee ought to step up in the absence of Iyer, and steer the KKR ship in the right direction.

The KKR overseas stars have host of experiences at the international and franchise level, and they need a combined effort from all to set the Knights on the right course this season. KKR’s disappointing outing last year warrant a swift turn around, can they provide it? Time will surely tell the tale.