IPL Auction 2020: Three picks for KKR from Caribbean Premier League

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are only the third team to have won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title at least twice since its inception in 2008. KKR had won its first-ever IPL title in the year 2012 under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir and followed it once again in the year 2014 as they claimed their 2nd title. They have not been able to replicate their heroics in the next five editions.

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The Dinesh Karthik-led side did not perform to their potential last year as they finished in the 5th position on the points table with just 12 points from 14 fixtures. KKR managed to win mere 6 games in IPL 2019 despite having a star-studded squad. 

Recently, the 7th season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) concluded with Barbados Tridents defeating Guyana Amazon Warriors. CPL never disappoints the audience in terms of entertainment value. Most of the matches during this season were spectacular. There were a lot of amazing performances in the tournament which could attract bidders in the IPL auction 2020.

Let us have a look at top 3 players that KKR could pick from the CPL

3. Lendl Simmons

INNINGS: 11, RUNS: 430, AVERAGE: 39.09

Lendl Simmons did not make a cut to the initial squad. He was included as a replacement for Colin Munro, but his performance was impressive. Thereby, Simmons continued as a top-order batsman even after Munro’s arrival and finished the season as the team’s leading run-getter. He carried the team to the playoffs with 430 runs from 11 matches. Simmons' best performance of the season came against St. Nevis Patriots when he scored 90 runs from 45 balls at an explosive strike rate of 200.

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2. Hayden Walsh

MATCHES: 9, WICKETS: 22, AVERAGE: 12.68

Hayden Walsh contributed hugely to the success of Barbados tridents. The leg spinner finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and was the recipient of the 'Player of the Tournament' award. He grabbed 22 wickets from 9 matches. Interestingly, Walsh was the only bowler to bag a five-wicket haul in the season. The career-defining performance from Walsh came against TKR. Undoubtedly, the 27-year-old made a lot of noise this season and certainly has a bright future.

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3. Brandon King

MATCHES: 12, RUNS: 496, AVERAGE: 55.11

Brandon King was the most consistent batsman of this season. He can solve KKR's opening woes. With 496 runs from 12 matches, the right-hander finished as the season's leading run-scorer in the tournament. Brandon's constant supply of runs ensured that Warriors remained unbeaten in the league stage. In addition to being the leading run-getter, the 24-year-old also hit the most sixes in the tournament. Brandon's best performance of the tournament came against Barbados Tridents, where he scored 132* runs from 72 balls at a strike rate of 183.33.

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