IPL: Top 5 Buys of Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders with 2014 IPL trophy (Source: Twitter)

The Indian Premier League has often been the stage where the career of many cricketers has been made. On the other hand, the big bucks and the glamour of the tournament sometimes have deflected young careers from their path of glory. 

However, in this section, we will talk about the best buys of franchises in the history of the tournament. The players have justified their price tags with their performances during their stay in the franchise. 

Let us have a look at the history of two-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders and find out who has been their top buys till now.  

5. Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa won the 2014 Orange Cap (Source: Twitter)

Robin Uthappa was bought by KKR in 2014 for INR 5 Cr. It was during this season that Uthappa's IPL career started blossoming. 

Uthappa scored 660 runs in 2014 in 16 matches at a strike rate of 137.78 and an average of 44.00. His contribution to the KKR's second IPL title run was invaluable. 

Speaking about his performance for the franchise, Uthappa played 84 innings for them and scored 2439 runs for them at an average of 30.49 and a strike rate of 136.26. 

4. Yusuf Pathan 

Yusuf Pathan (Source: Twitter)

Yusuf Pathan became a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in 2012 for INR 9.66 Cr. He played a very important role for the Knight Riders in their title-winning runs of 2012 and 2014. 

Yusuf had played 91 innings with the bat for KKR and has scored 1893 runs in them. He had an average of 31.55 for them while his strike rate was 138.28. If we speak of his bowling, Yusuf had picked up 21 wickets in the Purple jersey while conceding runs at an economy of 7.26 and maintaining an average of 30.76. 

3. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine (Source: Twitter)

Sunil Narine was bought by KKR in 2012 for INR 3.55 Cr.  Since then Narine has been an inseparable part of the KKR team. 

Narine has played 148 matches for KKR and has bowled 576.1 overs in them. In these overs, Narine has picked up 152 wickets at an average of 25.13 while conceding runs at an economy of 6.63.  He has also been handy with the bat for the franchise since the 2017 season when he was sent out to open the innings. Narine has batted in 86 innings for KKR and has scored 1025 runs in them at an average of 14.86 and a strike rate of 162.70.

While his numbers already prove how important Narine has been to KKR, these do not show how important his economic spells were for the team, especially during the 2012-2015 period.

2. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir (Source: Twitter)

Gautam Gambhir was one more player who was bought by KKR in 2012 for INR 11.04 Cr. He was the man who changed the momentum of the franchise. 

Gambhir batted in 108 innings for the team and scored 3035 runs at an average of 31.63 and a strike rate of 124.28. He was the man who solidified the team's top order. But besides batting, it was captain Gambhir who mattered the most for the Knights. It was under his leadership that KKR won the tournament twice.

Gambhir's inspiring leadership was the impetus that KKR and need and that changed the direction in which the franchise was moving as a whole. 

1.Andre Russell 

Andre Russell (Source: Twitter)

Andre Russell was bought by KKR in 2014 for INR 60 Lakhs. Since then he has been an integral part of the team. 

Russell has scored 1977 runs for KKR from 78 innings at an average of 31.38 and a strike rate of 179.08. With the ball, he has picked up 88 wickets for them while conceding runs at an economy of 9.06. But his average with the ball is an impressive 22.16 and his strike rate is 14.68. 

While the numbers are impressive enough, the impact that Russell has had on the 'Purple Army' over the years cannot be quantified. So, he stands out to be one of the best buys of the Franchise. 

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