The Kolkata franchise is among one of the most successful teams in the Indian T20 League. They enjoyed considerable success in the tournament in early years, winning the title twice. Their first victory came in 2012, under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, and they repeated this success in 2014. However, since then, the coveted trophy has eluded the Knight Riders.
Heading into the 2024 season with the return of Gautam Gambhir as Mentor, Kolkata will have set their sights on reigniting their past glories. To strengthen their squad for the upcoming season, Kolkata made a significant impact at the 2024 auction, making waves by acquiring Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc for an unprecedented INR 24.75 crore, setting a new record for the most expensive player purchase in the league’s history.
In addition to Starc, Kolkata’s acquisitions include Sherfane Rutherford, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Manish Pandey, Chetan Sakariya, Srikar Bharat, and young talents Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sakib Hussain, and Ramandeep Singh, who will bring fresh energy and potential to the squad.
Let’s take a detailed look at Kolkata’s strengths, weaknesses, last season’s struggles and measures to counter them, internal competition, and players to watch out for.
Kolkata’s Strengths
Middle and Lower Middle Order Power:
Kolkata's batting lineup, especially in the middle and lower middle order, looks formidable. Rinku Singh, after a breakout 2023 season, is set to continue his role as a powerful finisher. Accompanied by the likes of Andre Russell and newcomer Sherfane Rutherford, Kolkata has reliable hitters to close innings with significant totals.
All-Round Depth:
The presence of Russell and Sunil Narine has been a huge strength for Kolkata over the years. Rutherford's inclusion not only adds strength but also brings variety to the all-rounder department.
Spin Attack:
Kolkata has one of the best spin attacks going into the tournament. With Narine and Varun Chakravarthy already being integral parts of the team, the acquisition of Mujeeb Ur Rahman has further enriched the spin department.
Kolkata’s Weaknesses
Inexperienced Pace Attack:
Despite securing Mitchell Starc, Kolkata's pace department lacks experienced names beyond him. With the releases of seasoned speedsters and the inclusion of relatively untested talents like Chetan Sakariya and Gus Atkinson, Kolkata's fast-bowling unit might face challenges, particularly in leveraging conditions and handling pressure.
Leadership Questions:
The leadership core appears to be a concern, with captain Shreyas Iyer yet to establish himself as a decisive leader. The potential advisory group, including Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine, lacks a strong track record in leadership roles, which could impact strategic decision-making during critical phases of the game.
Kolkata’s Struggles Last Season and Counter Strategies
Kolkata's approach to addressing last season's issues included bolstering their top-order batting and pace attack. With Rahmanullah Gurbaz's form and Shreyas Iyer's return, the top order is expected to be more robust.
The purchase of Starc is aimed at resolving the absence of a bowler capable of securing early wickets, a gap that was felt in the previous season.
Competition for Spots
Gurbaz is likely to be the first-choice opener for Kolkata. However, Phil Salt, who joined the team as a replacement for Jason Roy, stands as a formidable backup.
On the other hand, Sunil Narine has been a consistent performer for Kolkata, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. His all-round capabilities and vast experience in the league make him a certain starter. However, should Narine's form dip, Sherfane Rutherford presents a great alternative.
The competition for places extends to the pace department, where Vaibhav Arora and
Chetan Sakariya could be aiming for a spot in the playing XI. Both bowlers bring distinct qualities to the table.
Players to Watch
International Players:
Mitchell Starc, Rinku Singh, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are among the international players in the Kolkata squad who are set to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. Starc, having been bought for a record-breaking sum, carries the expectations to spearhead the bowling attack with his lethal pace and swing. Rinku Singh emerged as a powerful finisher last season, displaying remarkable batting skills under pressure. Mujeeb ur Rahman adds a significant edge to Kolkata's spin department with his mystery spin.
Young Stars:
Kolkata's squad also includes young talents like Vaibhav Arora, Chetan Sakariya, and Suyash Sharma, who are expected to shine in this season. Vaibhav Arora's seam movement and precision make him a potent threat in conditions that assist swing, and his ability to bowl in different phases of the game could be invaluable for Kolkata. Chetan Sakariya brings a left-arm pace option that adds diversity to the attack. Suyash Sharma played 11 matches and picked 10 wickets, thus displaying his potential to grab wickets.
FanCraze Fast Facts
- The Kolkata franchise was named after the 1980s TV series "Knight Rider,".
- Kolkata has the longest winning streak in the tournament, going 10 matches unbeaten in their victorious 2014 season.
- Kolkata is the Indian T20 League's most followed team on Facebook.
Kolkata Squad for 2024 Season:
Shreyas Iyer (c), Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, KS Bharat, Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Sakib Hussain.
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