IPL 2023: Prior to the Indian Premier League 2023, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are not in a strong situation. There is a ton of legitimate criticism directed at their roster construction.
While some of the players are on low-paying contracts, others make extravagant salaries that are eating up the team’s cash.
The odds are stacked against KKR making a strong run at the IPL 2023 championship since they made some dubious choices at both the auction and the trading window. Here are three KKR players who have excessively expensive IPL 2023 contracts.
Also Read: IPL 2023: IPL 2023: Lockie Ferguson Traded From Gujarat Titans to Kolkata Knight Riders
IPL 2023: Here are 3 KKR Players Who Might Not perform as their Worth
Nitish Rana
Although Nitish Rana has made some significant contributions to KKR throughout the years, his performances haven’t been up to par. With his consistency concerns, the batter’s contract is worth 8 crores, which seems expensive.
In each of his seven IPL seasons, Rana has not scored more than 400 runs, and each of his last three seasons saw an average below 30. Throughout the past two years, he has only scored four fifty-scores and has taken a number of bad shots to escape at crucial moments.
The left-hander’s shortcoming has been his persistent inability to accept accountability for the side. Rana is a skilled spinner, but his T20 game is now limited to that. If he wants to earn such a high price tag, he must consistently post significantly higher scores.
Shardul Thakur
In exchange for sending Aman Hakim Khan the other way, KKR acquired Shardul Thakur from the Delhi Capitals prior to the IPL 2023 auction. Although DC had the all-rounder on a 10.75 crore contract, it didn’t seem like a smart move from the beginning.
In the IPL, Thakur has a career economy rate of 9.06 and a top score of 29*. Fans are aware of his versatility, but he is not the type of player who can consistently and dependably contribute in both areas in the shortest format.
The former DC player only scored 120 runs during IPL 2022 while taking 15 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 9.79. Thakur will help KKR with a few issues, but he isn’t worth more than about 10 crores. Due to a lack of funding, the Kolkata Knight Riders have been unable to support other departments as a result of his contract.
Lockie Ferguson
In advance of the IPL 2023 auction, KKR traded in more pricey players than just Thakur. They bought Lockie Ferguson from the Gujarat Titans, who bought the express pacer at the mega-auction in 2022 for 10 crores.
Ferguson could seem worthwhile on paper, but the numbers reveal something different. True, he can consistently bowl at over 150 kmph, but that is the only constant aspect of his bowling. The Kiwi has recently struggled in T20s and has not been a consistent performer at any point of the innings.
Ferguson only took 12 wickets in 13 games during IPL 2022, with an 8.96 economy rate. He previously played for KKR, thus he will get along well with the team’s management. The two-time champs, though, might later regret their choice to acquire him through trade.
Also Read: IPL 2023: 3 Gujarat Titans Players Who are on Overpriced Contracts for 16th Edition
