Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2024 Auction Preview: Purse remaining, strengths & weaknesses, squad

The Indian Cricket fans are decking up for the country's premier T20 tournaments, which are ready to come into action. But ahead of the main tournament, the IPL 2024 auctions are all set to take place in the city of Dubai, and several superstar cricketers are ready to go under the hammer. Take a look at a particular team's remaining purse value, the players they have retained, and the strengths & weaknesses of the squad.

Three things you need to know

• Chennai Super Kings will be the defending champions of the IPL
• Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings were the finalists of the IPL 2023
• The IPL Auction is set to take place on Tuesday, December 19th

Also Read: Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 Auction Preview: Purse remaining, strenghts and weaknesses, updated squad

Kolkata Knight Riders: Remaining purse, strengths & weakness, updated squad

Remaining purse, strengths & weakness, updated squad

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have ₹32.70 crore left in their purse. There are 12 spots on the team, four of which will be used for the overseas players.

List of players retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders

1. Andre Russell
2. Anukul Roy
3. Harshit Rana
4. Jason Roy
5. Nitish Rana
6. Rahmanullah Gurbaz 
7. Rinku Singh
8. Shreyas Iyer
9. Sunil Narine
10. Suyash Sharma
11. Vaibhav Arora
12. Varun Chakaravarthy
13. Venkatesh Iyer

List of players released by the Kolkata Knight Riders

1. Aarya Desai
2. David Wiese
3. Johnson Charles
4. Kulwant Khejroliya
5. Litton Das
6. Lockie Ferguson
7. Mandeep Singh
8. N. Jagadeesan
9. Shakib Al Hasan
10. Shardul Thakur
11. Tim Southee
12. Umesh Yadav

Also Read: AB de Villiers reveals startling incident that forced him to retire from IPL in 2021

Kolkata Knight Riders' strengths & weaknesses

Strengths

Strong Core with formidable middle-order

The Kolkata Knight Riders have a formidable core maintained by Venkatesh Iyer and Nitsh Rana. Moreover, the team has a solid middle-order, with finisher Rinku Singh. Shreyas Iyer's return in 2024 will also add a boost to the squad after he missed out in 23 due to an injury.

The return of Gautam Gambhir

The not-so-surprising yet much-awaited return of Gautam Gambhir, the former captain who led KKR to two IPL-title-winning seasons, will add the mentor's brain the Knight Riders have been direly waiting for

KKR's spin-mayhem

The Knights' bowling unit supports Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy, who could be the surprise element. Suyash could emerge as a solid draw for the team in taking down the opponents' wickets.

Weakness

KKR needs a proper pace unit

With Ferguson, Umesh, Southee and Thakur out after the team released them, KKR needs to focus on getting a bowling unit. KKR's bowling failed to impress in the 2023 season, and they need to make the necessary amends to flourish in the upcoming season.

Will Russell fumble again?

KKR's ace superstar, Andre Russell, has been in a downward spiral when it comes to IPL. His performance has been subpar till now. Since he was heavily touted as KKR's X-factor, all eyes will remain on him as he needs to show up and show out after his retention.