IPL 2021 Phase: Three crucial players for Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders, who have currently acquired the seventh spot in the IPL table with four points in seven games did not live up to the expectation in phase 1 of IPL 2021. 

The Kolkata-based franchise will be aiming to make a spectacular comeback in the second phase of IPL 2021. The two-time IPL winners will be counting on their key players to clinch the title for the third time.

The celebrated Indian Premier League is just around the corner, let’s have a look at the three crucial players for KKR in the second phase of the tournament:

1. Dinesh Karthik

The Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik will be one of the players who will have to be on top of his abilities, with 3946 runs in 203 games in his IPL career. Karthik will be a key player for KKR going into phase 2 of the competition as it is scheduled to begin from 19th September.

Being one of the senior players on the team, Karthik will also have to work along with the skipper Eoin Morgan as KKR push for a playoff spot.

2. Eoin Morgan 

The English cricketer and KKR captain will be available for the team until the playoffs as ECB announced the World Cup-bound English players will miss the IPL playoffs. 

Up until the playoffs, Morgan’s explosive batting will be one of the most crucial factors, with 1364 runs in 73 IPL matches. Morgan’s experience and flair will prove vital for the Knight Riders to advance into the playoffs. 

3. Andre Russell 

A nightmare for bowlers anywhere in the world, the West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will be the talisman for the out-of-form KKR. 

With 1680 runs and 68 wickets in 81 matches, Russell’s explosive batting and skill with the ball will be crucial for KKR.

Russell has also been showing his top form in the CPL and he will be looking to continue that form in phase 2 of the competition. Last year in the UAE, Russell was struggling to get runs, but a glimpse of his destructive batting was witnessed in phase 1 of IPL 2021. The SRK-owned team would count on Russell to put up a powerful performance in the second phase of the T20 competition. 

Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bangalore on 20th September in the UAE in their first match of the rescheduled IPL.