Kolkata Knight Riders have played their last match in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League. The Shreyas Iyer-led outfit won three of their first four games in IPL 2022. However, they lost momentum as the tournament progressed. Too many changes and injuries hurt KKR a lot.
Eventually, they managed only six wins from 14 matches and earned 12 points in the season. With Kolkata eliminated from IPL 2022, the team management will now think about the IPL 2023 Auction. Since it will be a mini auction, KKR will retain a majority of their current players. However, the following four names might be released.
1. Kolkata Knight Riders may release Ajinkya Rahane
Fans expected some big knocks from Ajinkya Rahane in IPL 2022, especially after the way he played against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener. But the veteran Indian player ended with 133 runs from seven matches at an average of 19. Since his strike rate was 103.90, KKR might not retain him.
2. Aaron Finch
Another opening batter that the Kolkata Knight Riders may not retain is Aaron Finch. The Australian star scored 86 runs in five matches at an average of 17.20. While he scored one fifty, his performances in other matches were quite disappointing.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders may release Shivam Mavi
Shivam Mavi earned a massive contract worth INR 7.25 crore from KKR at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Mavi scalped five wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 10.31. KKR might release him and buy him back at a cheaper price if they are interested.
4. Sheldon Jackson
Sheldon Jackson got five opportunities to prove himself as a match-winning wicket-keeper batter for KKR. He did a phenomenal job behind the wickets, but with the bat, he scored only 23 runs at an average of 5.75. It is unlikely that KKR may retain him.
