IPL 2023: Three Players Who Can Replace Shreyas Iyer As Captain Of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) In The Tournament. The 16th edition of the IPL is about to get underway on 31st March with the first match to be played between defending champions Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with the final to be played on the 28th of May.
Just before the tournament, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a big blow with captain Shreyas Iyer being affected by a back injury. KKR play their first game against Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings on April 1 at Mohali.
The 28-year-old might miss some part of IPL and as per reports, the right-hander might undergo back surgery. Shreyas Iyer is a vital part of the top order and Kolkata Knight Riders’ batting might look brittle in his absence. KKR had finished 7th in the last season and it looked the KKR team management was in the right direction to groom him as a skipper but unfortunately, they need to find another suitable option for IPL 2023.
The players mentioned in our list have the skills to lead the team but it needs to be seen how successful they can be when it comes to leading the team. We take a look at the players who could be replacements as captain of the KKR in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
#3 Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine has been one of the most successful bowlers in the IPL. The 34-year-old has highlighted his wicket-taking abilities in crunch situations with his clever variations. The Trinidadian made his IPL debut in 2012 and since then the off-spinner has been one of the finest match-winners for the KKR. He is surely one of the players who can be seen as a possible option to lead the side.
Narine has taken 152 wickets in 148 IPL games with best bowling figures of 5/19. Narine has also made decent progress with his batting in the shorter format which has also reflected in his IPL performance. He has scored 1025 runs with a strike rate of 162.70 with a highest score of 75 by registering 4 half-centuries.
#2 Tim Southee
Southee has been one of the toughest competitors in New Zealand cricket .His experience of playing under Kane Williamson in International cricket and captains like Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the IPL would have upgraded his leadership aptitude. The 34-year-old can outsmart the batsmen with his seam movements which he has done so well over the years.
His ability to take crucial wickets is one thing KKR will be proud of. The pacer has experience playing in different conditions as well as situations which makes him captaincy material in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. He has taken 45 wickets in 52 IPL games so far with the best bowling figures of 3/20.
#1 Andre Russell
Undoubtedly one of the most destructive hitters in the shorter format, Andre Russell has showcased his ability to win games single-handedly in the history of IPL so far with the bat. The all-rounder has loads of experience playing in different situations and knows what it takes to perform and what sort of field placements are needed under pressure situations which makes him a suitable option to lead the side.
The Jamaican has so far scored 2035 runs in 98 IPL games so far with a strike rate of 177.88 registering 10 half-centuries with a highest score of an unbeaten 88. The 34 year old has taken 89 wickets with best bowling figures of 5/15 in his IPL career so far.
