The names of 3 players who can replace Eoin Morgan as skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2nd stage of IPL 2021 have been revealed
From Dinesh Kartik to Andre Russell, look at 3 players who can lead Kolkata Knight Riders in the absence of Eoin Morgan.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all but set to miss out on the services of their skipper, Eoin Morgan, for the 2nd phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The England Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that it will not allow its players to skip the international season for any other cricket. Hence, England’s T20 players will not land in UAE.
Morgan’s absence will mean that KKR will have a new captain. Pat Cummins, Australia’s vice-captain, could have been an option for KKR but he is reportedly set to miss the remainder of the season too.
His absence leaves KKR with just a handful of options to choose from. While the KKR management work on inking on a new captain, here’s a look at 3 candidates who can replace Morgan –
Dinesh Karthik
Given his IPL and captaincy experience, Dinesh Karthik could be an automatic pick in the absence of Morgan and Cummins. The senior wicketkeeper-batsman led the franchise from 2018 to the mid of 2020. Under him, KKR made it to the second round once.
With a mega-auction set to take place next year, KKR might just make the makeshift adjustment for a part of IPL 2021 before inking on a new captain for the 2022 to 2024 cycle.
Andre Russell
One of the senior players in the KKR camp, Andre Russell is their homegrown talent. Although he was part of Delhi Capitals in his IPL career before, it was during his KKR stint that Russell became a giant IPL force. KKR have invested in him hugely and also retained him despite Russell being banned for a year in 2016/17.
He has worked on his fitness and could be considered for the top job if he assumed fit for the complete season. Russell has led Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League.
Shubman Gill
A surprising name on the list, Shubman Gill might only be picked if the franchise has future plans with him. Although Brendon McCullum, KKR’s head coach, hinted at dropping him and Nitish Rana from the playing XI, Gill can be picked as he is still in the early stage of his career and has a long way ahead.
He has also led Punjab and was India U-19 team’s vice-captain which won the 2018 World Cup. But he will have to change his game plan and provide quick starts to KKR in order to land the job.
