KKR lacks back-up options: former Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes his former IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders doesn't have eugh back-up options and team manment could have gone for all-rounders in players' auction to provide squad more depth. Kolkata franchise paid a whopping Rs 15.50 crore for Cummins, making him costliest foreign player in history of IPL auctions. Besides, y also spent big on England's World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan (Rs 5.25 crore) and Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy (Rs 4 crore). 

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"If you look at squad as a whole, re is backup for Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Sunil Narine who is a one of a kind bowler. If Eoin Morgan suffers an injury, team has middle order overseas batsman," Gambhir said while speaking at 'Star Sports' Cricket Live' show.

" manment could have gone for a Mitchell Marsh or Marcus Stoinis who would have given more depth to squad, so you have to hope all se players are re for entire series.

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Gambhir said KKR don't have bench strength to deal with any injury crisis in top order. "If Pat Cummins suffers an injury, re is a replacement with Lockie Fergusan but with top order re is replacement for Kolkata Knight Riders," said stylish left-hander, who led KKR to two titles in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir hoped that Cummins will justify his hefty pay check by single-handedly winning KKR a few matches.

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" positive part about Pat Cummins is that you can expect him to take wickets with new ball because he has a good swing and he bowls at good pace, he might be a concern for death overs but he has good bowling skills," Gambhir said.

"I hope he plays all matches and makes team win 3-4 matches single handedly because he has been bought for such a high amount." 

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