Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR)
KKr known as Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Founded in 2008, the Kolkata Knight Riders, commonly known as KKR, is a team that has enjoyed massive success in the league. Owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla, and her spouse Jay Mehta, KKR has a huge fan following and has created a legacy that is celebrated by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
The team was bought for a whopping $75.09 million in 2008, making it one of the most expensive IPL teams at the time. Since then, KKR has gone on to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the league.
KKR History:
The Kolkata Knight Riders have had a rollercoaster ride in the IPL since its inception. The team has had its fair share of ups and downs, and while they have won the IPL title twice, they have also endured several seasons where they failed to make it past the group stages.
KKR started off their IPL journey with a bang in 2008 when they reached the semi-finals. However, the team hit a rough patch in the next two seasons, finishing 8th in 2009 and 6th in 2010. It wasn’t until 2011 that KKR bounced back, finishing 4th and reaching the playoffs once again.
In 2012, KKR turned things around and emerged as the champion for the first time in its history. The team was led by Gautam Gambhir, who also won the orange cap for scoring the most runs in the tournament. KKR then went on to win the title again in 2014, this time under the leadership of the charismatic all-rounder, Shahid Afridi.
However, the team’s fortunes took a dip in the following years as they failed to qualify for the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2017. KKR then made a comeback in 2018, finishing third in the tournament. In 2019 and 2020, they finished 5th and 4th, respectively.
IPL 2023 Squad – KKR
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IPL 2023 Squad – KKR
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| Player | Role | Auction Price | Nation |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batsman | INR 12.25 Crores(R) | India |
| Nitish Rana | Batsman | INR 8 crores(R) | India |
| Rinku Singh | Batsman | INR 55 Lakhs(R) | India |
| Varun Chakravarty | Bowlers | INR 8 Cr(R) | India |
| Tim Southee | Bowlers | INR 1.5 crores(R) | New Zealand |
| Umesh Yadav | Bowlers | INR 2 crores(R) | India |
| Andre Russell | All-rounder | INR 12 Cr(R) | West Indies |
| Venkatesh Iyer | All-rounder | INR 8 Cr(R) | India |
| Sunil Narine | All-rounder | INR 6 Cr(R) | West Indies |
| Anukul Roy | All-rounder | INR 20 Lakhs(R) | India |
| Shardul Thakur | Bowler | Traded from DC | India |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler | Traded from GT | New Zealand |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | WK-Batsman | Traded from DC | Afghanistan |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler | INR 20 Lakhs(R) | India |
| N. Jagadeesan | WK-Batsman | INR 90 lakh | India |
| Vaibhav Arora | Bowler | INR 60 lakh | India |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler | INR 20 lakh | India |
| David Wiese | All-rounder | INR 1 crore | Namibia |
| Kulwant Khejroliya | Bowler | INR 20 lakh | India |
| Litton Das | WK-Batsman | INR 50 lakh | Bangladesh |
| Mandeep Singh | Batsman | INR 50 lakh | India |
| Shakib Al Hasan | All-rounder | INR 1.5 crore | Bangladesh |
KKR’s IPL Previous Performance:
KKR has always been known for its aggressive brand of cricket. They have a strong batting lineup and a formidable bowling attack that has helped them win several matches over the years. The team has had some of the biggest names in world cricket on its roster, including Gautam Gambhir, Jacques Kallis, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Eoin Morgan.
One of the main reasons for KKR’s success has been its consistency in picking up quality players at the IPL auction. Team management has always had a good eye for talent and has been successful in bringing in players who have made significant contributions to the team’s success.
KKR has also been known for its aggressive approach in the transfer market. The team management has never shied away from making big moves, such as letting go of some of their biggest stars, including Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, in order to make room for fresh talent. This strategy has paid dividends, with KKR consistently performing well in the league.
The team’s performance in the IPL has been impressive, with KKR winning 99 matches and losing 86 out of the 196 matches they have played so far. They have a win percentage of 53.03%, which is a testament to their consistent performance over the years.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. With two IPL titles under their belt and a consistent track record of making it to the playoffs, KKR has become a household name in the world of cricket.
