IPL Auction 2018: KKR lose plot on Day 1, no clarity on future captain after Gambhir exit

KKR like Rajasthan Royals is known as a team which buys young talent and give them a good run, Kuldeep Yadav being a prime example. This year too they have stuck to the same strategy. Thus, breakthrough talents like Shubnam Gill and Nagarkoti has been bought.

However, what they are solely missing is one real big star, who can lead the side and rally the troops. KKR got some good buys in Dinesh Karthik (Rs 7.4 cr), Uthappa (Rs 6.4 crore) among Indian batters, but are they good enough to lead the side? KKR so far is a bowling heavy outfit with Starc, Kuldeep and Chawla being bought in the IPL. Starc is a quality buy, but how effective will be in Eden Gardens, which is known for moderate bounce, is something interesting to see.

Kuldeep, Uthappa and Chawla were all retained using RTM by KKR.  

Chris Lynn has major fitness issues in this session, so that will keep the KKR management concerned. It needed the marquee players like Sourav and Gambhir in the past, but somehow Day 1 was a saga of missed opportunities. Nitesh Rana for example is a decent all-rounder, but can he win you the match on his own with either the bat or ball? The players they have taken are good, but not exactly great. Can KKR make amends on Day 2?

It only has Rs 7.6 crore left, and they have to at least buy 6 players. KKR needs some prudent buying on Day 2 to ensure that the team is properly balanced.

The two retained players are Andre Russel and Sunil Narine, who give a great balance to the bowling unit. But teams can play only 4 foreign recruits, where lies the catch.

KKR Full Team: Andre Russel, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Kuldeep Singh Yadav, Kuldeep Singh Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Mitchell Starc, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shubman Gill, Ishank Jaggi