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3 Potential Picks KKR Can Target In IPL Auction 2024 Post Gautam Gambhir's Homecoming

image-lpdwgak8Mitchell Starc (left), Quinton de Kock, and Naveen-ul-Haq (X.com)

The World Cup 2023 final defeat has become a thing of the past, as billions of people in India are currently focusing on how their favourite IPL franchises will shape up ahead of the upcoming edition. Mumbai Indians are making headlines at present, as reputed sources confirm that they are going to bring back Gujarat Titans’ title-winning captain Hardik Pandya onto the roster.

Nevertheless, not even a day ago, the talk of the town was the return of Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Purple and Gold Brigade have been struggling miserably for a while now, and Gambhir, their two-time title-winning skipper, has decided to come back home in order to rebuild.

With plenty of areas to address, Gambhir knows exactly how to bring KKR back to its good-old days. Here, we will look at which three players Gambhir would like to add as leaders to their respective departments.


Mitchell Starc

image-lpdy68u0Mitchell Starc was in magnificent form in World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

As KKR are reportedly releasing Lockie Ferguson, Shardul Thakur, and Tim Southee among others, signing Mitchell Starc is an absolute no-brainer for the Purple and Gold Brigade. The prolific left-arm quick should be the man to lead the pack, and keeping the T20 World Cup 2024 in mind, he should be available for the entire IPL edition next year.

However, the relationship between Starc and KKR have not been too great. In 2018, the Venky Mysore-led think tank roped in Starc for a whopping INR 9.4 crore, after which he was released from the contract due to unavailability.

If KKR move on from what happened in the past, that will be a win-win situation for both sides.

Quinton de Kock

image-lpdyk8eoQuinton de Kock (X.com)

The move can be described as 'solving two problems at once'. Lucknow Super Giants mostly ignored Quinton de Kock last season due to Kyle Mayers’ rampage at the top of the order. The South African opener, who has played 96 IPL games thus far, could only play four matches in the entire season in IPL 2022, tallying 143 runs. KKR are looking for a prolific wicket-keeper, who, at the same time, can be equally good at the top of the order.

Now who more than de Kock is more qualified to fill this position? Nevertheless, to make that happen, Gambhir has to play a crucial role in convincing the franchise, whom he had mentored in the previous two years if they do not decide to release him.

Rachin Ravindra

image-lpdz2gw4Rachin Ravindra (AP Photos)

The emerging sensation, who set the stage on fire in the recently concluded World Cup 2023, will be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming bidding war. Rachin Ravindra is a complete package; he can open, bat at No. 3, lower down the order, and even bowl a few handy overs.

Last year, KKR brought in Jason Roy in place of Shakib Al Hasan. Hence, the 24-year-old Kiwi could make a great long-term investment since he can contribute equally to the Bangladeshi all-rounder.

Let’s see whom Gautam Gambhir and KKR target, as the forthcoming auction is not too far away, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19.