Before the mega auction for IPL 2022 (IPL 2022 Retention List), all the eight franchises have released the list of retained players. 8 franchises retained a total of 27 players. In this, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained 4 players from their quota. There are two Indians and two foreigners in this. Apart from Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who rocked his bat in IPL 2021, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has also been retained by KKR. Apart from this, KKR also played on 2 T20 specialists Sunil Narine and Andre Russell of West Indies. Kolkata spent Rs 18 crore in retaining both of them.
This bet of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may also backfire. Because 33-year-old Sunil Narine and his age-old Andre Russell now seem to lack the fitness and edge required for T20 cricket. The proof of this is IPL 2021. Even though Kolkata played the final of IPL this year. But the role of these two players was less in this.
At least Russell seemed entangled in the fitness circles. Due to muscle strain, he did not enter the final against Chennai Super Kings. The team had to bear the brunt of it both in batting as well as in bowling. CSK scored 192 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the final and later won the match by 27 runs by restricting Kolkata to 165 runs.
Russell played only 3 out of 10 matches in the UAE leg of IPL 2021
Due to injury, Russell played only 3 out of 10 matches for KKR in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. He scored 183 runs in 10 matches played throughout the season. During this, he scored only one half-century. The injury also affected his bowling and Russell bowled just 19 overs in IPL 2021 and conceded 188 runs at an economy rate of 9.89. His role in KKR is that of a match finisher. But in IPL 2021, he did not appear fit in this role.
Russell had scored only 117 runs in IPL 2020
In IPL 2020 too, Russell scored 117 runs in 10 matches. He could not score even a single half-century. In such a situation, the decision to retain Russell for Rs 12 crore before IPL 2022 could also have a heavy impact on KKR. Because the team already has an emerging all-rounder in Venkatesh Iyer. At the same time, the team could buy a player like Hardik Pandya in the auction for the same amount.
Naren's performance as an all-rounder has faded since two years
Naren has also been retained by KKR for IPL 2022 for Rs 6 crore. However, for the last three years, he was getting Rs 12.5 crore as a salary. In such a situation, Naren has to bear a big loss. However, if we look at his performance in his last 2 seasons, there has been a decline in his all-around game.
KKR played the final in IPL 2021. But Narine scored 62 runs in 14 matches. He could hit only 5 sixes and 3 fours. However, his performance with the ball was fine. He took 16 wickets in 14 matches. At the same time, he took only 5 wickets in 10 matches in IPL 2020. At the same time, 121 runs were scored in the same number of matches. As an all-rounder, the team would have expected more from him.
