Kolkata Knight Riders had a dismal IPL auction last year and hence, it was almost expected of them to struggle in the tournament. They did: KKR finished 7th in the 10-team tournament and even suffered five straight losses during the season.
In the hope to do better in the IPL 2023, they need to clear up some spaces for the IPL 2023 auction in December. Instead of just releasing players, KKR could look to make some trades that would help them fill holes.
Here are 3 players that KKR might trade away in the IPL 2023 trading window:
Shivam Mavi
KKR have invested heavily in young pacer Shivam Mavi since his under-19 days in 2018. However, injuries and poor returns – 30 wickets in 30 matches, economy of 8.7 – might mean that KKR could finally decide to part ways with Mavi.
Also, it is Mavi’s high price of 7.25 crore for which KKR bought him last auction that is burning them considering the low returns he gave last season – 5 wickets in 6 matches, economy of 10.3. Given that Mavi is young, despite being injury-prone and perhaps not best suited to the T20 format, KKR would easily get takers for him in the IPL 2023 trading window if they do decide to trade him away for an experienced pacer.
Mohammad Nabi
Mohammad Nabi brings vast amount of T20 experience with himself and is an all-round asset for a T20 side. But the Afghanistan skipper has been in poor form since last year with the bat, and is mostly seen as an off-spinning bowling all-rounder.
Nabi didn’t get a single game for KKR last season given their overseas slots are filled, and the pitches were also not conducive to spin bowling. KKR could see an option to trade away Nabi to teams such as CSK and DC who may be on the lookout for quality and experienced spinners considering their home pitches for next season.
Pat Cummins
This could be a difficult, but a logical choice that KKR may make: trade away Pat Cummins. In 30 IPL games for KKR, Cummins has taken 30 wickets while leaking close to 9 runs an over. This season he leaked runs at more than 10 an over.
While Cummins is an excellent seamer in Tests and ODIs, the same lengths which work in those two formats become hittable in T20 cricket. At best, Cummins is an average T20 pacer. His batting abilities, experience and reputation may get him the XI of Australia and KKR, but it’s not before long that these sides start to get concerned over whether he’s making any positive impact with the ball.
Also, with Cummins, like other Australian and English pacers, there is always a risk of injury or them pulling out of the IPL season due to workload management. And not to forget – Cummins also was brought for a big amount of 7.25 crore. So trading him to any other franchise which is on the lookout for an overseas pacer might just be a blessing for KKR.
