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Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2016, Review: Marks out of 10

Andre Russell, KKR's top perfomer's injury proved to be fatal for their IPL 2016 campaign

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Gautam Gambhir was the highest run-scorer for KKR in IPL 2016  © AFP
Gautam Gambhir was the highest run-scorer for KKR in IPL 2016 © AFP

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were out of the IPL trophy contention race after losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 22 runs in the Eliminator match at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. The Gautam Gambhir-led side had a decent tournament as they won 8 of the 14 League matches to progress into the playoffs. Their bowling department struggled this year. Also, their middle-order wasn’t at their best either. Andre Russell’s leg injury meant their campaign was in danger of getting spoilt and that is what happened. They won the 2012 and the 2014 edition of the IPL but couldn’t get to their third IPL trophy this time around. Let’s take a look at how their players performed. ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) knocked out of IPL 2016

Gautam Gambhir (7/10) – The KKR captain was superb with the bat while opening. He was in sublime form in the first few matches of the IPL, taking his side to victory on most occasions. Gambhir scored 501 runs in 15 matches and was the top-scorer for KKR. His captaincy and aggression was a big factor in KKR reaching the playoffs. Gambhir stuck to his best XI in most of the games and that did pay dividends.

Robin Uthappa (6/10) – With 394 runs at an average of 26.26 in 15 matches, Uthappa didn’t have a good season according to his standards. He did play one or two crucial knocks at the top along with his in-form partner Gambhir. He scored 3 fifties and his highest was 72. His wicket-keeping was fine though, took important catches and stumpings.

Manish Pandey (5/10) – The right-hand batsman who has been selected in the Indian squad for Zimbabwe didn’t have a great IPL this year. He scored 248 runs in 12 matches for KKR and notched up just 2 fifties. He couldn’t capitalize on the fifties though, and got out just after reaching the milestone. But nonetheless, Pandey has shown that has ability and can play the big shots as well.

Yusuf Pathan (6/10) – Yusuf Pathan had a good IPL tournament this time around. He finished a couple of matche swith his immense power and long-hits. He hit 3 half-centuries and all in crucial phases of the competition. His strike rate of 145+ was the most fearful aspect for oppositions. He hit 361 runs in 15 matches.

Suryakumar Yadav (4/10) – With just 186 runs in 15 matches, the KKR vice-captain certainly didn’t have a good tournament in 2016. His best was 60 and that was the only occasion when he went past the 50-run mark. His contribution lower-down the order would have certainly helped KKR but he failed to get big ones and was out cheaply at times too.

Andre Russell (8/10) – Easily KKR’s best performer along with Gambhir. Russell took 15 wickets in 12 matches that he played before he got injured and worries began for KKR. His all-round abilities had a big role to play in their campaign. Russell turned matches in KKR’s favour while hitting a few sixes out of the park too. He scored 188 runs in the IPL.

Piyush Chawla (6/10) – The leg-spinner didn’t have the type of IPL he would have liked but certainly gave his everything. Chawla picked up 11 wickets in 12 matches and scored 27 runs with the bat. He was a bit expensive at times too.

Sunil Narine (6/10) – With a changed bowling action Sunil Narine didn’t look as effective as he was in the earlier season’s of the IPL. The West Indies spinner took 11 wickets in just as many games. His best figures this IPL were 3/26.

Brad Hogg (6/10) – The oldest player to play in the IPL, featured in just 5 matches for KKR. He was later replaced by Narine. Hogg though took 4 wickets in the tournament but his economy rate was almost 9.

Jason Holder (5/10) – The West Indies player was a replacement for Andre Russell but couldn’t really make his mark. He did take 2 wickets in the 4 matches that he played but had to make most of the opportunity with the bat and couldn’t.

Morne Morkel (6/10) – The tall right-arm South African bowler didn’t have the best of IPL seasons. He took 10 wickets in 10 matches. But failed to maintain a good economy rate. He would have certainly realized that he wasn’t at his best this season.

Umesh Yadav (5/10) – The right-arm fast bowler struggled with line and length during the IPL. He took 10 wickets in 9 matches but was too costly at times and Gambhir had to take him out of the attack to stop the flow of runs. His best figures were 3/28.

Ankit Rajpoot (4/10) – The medium-pacer from Uttar Pradesh was a part of the KKR bowling in 4 matches. He took 3 wickets but again went for plenty.

Colin Munro (2/10) – The New Zealand batsman failed to play as per expectations and ended up scoring just 30 runs in 4 IPL matches. His highest was 16 against SRH.

Shakib Al Hasan (4/10) – The Bangladesh all-rounder had a bad season this time around. He scored 114 runs in 10 matches and got 5 wickets when he came on to bowl. Shakib Al Hasan meanwhile, also didn’t have any response to Virat Kohli’s batting genius and looked defeated in match against RCB. His highest was 66 not out.

John Hastings (5/10) – The Australian fast bowler 2 wickets in 2 matches that he played. He couldn’t feature in more matches because of the experienced Morkel.

Jaydev Unadkat (2/10) – Unadkat played just 1 match for KKR but couldn’t take a wicket and instead went for dozens.

Kuldeep Yadav (7/10) – The left-arm orthodox spinner was a part of the KKR Playing XI in just 3 matches but was absolutely right on the money. He picked 6 wickets and made his mark on the IPL. He will have to improve his economy rate though in future. ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar: Kuldeep Yadav’s performance in IPL 2016 impressive

Rajagopal Sathish (4/10) – The all-rounder played in 4 matches scoring just 24 runs and taking a wicket. He had the opportunity to produce some magic against SRH in the Eliminator with the bat but couldn’t.

Chris Lynn (3/10) – Known for his superb fielding efforts and taking mind-blowing catches Lynn hasn’t really had a good IPL outing till now. He scored just 25 runs in the 2 matches he got to play.

Note: Shaun Tait, Sheldon Jackson and Manan Sharma did not play for even one match for KKR.

(Karan Dewan, a reporter with CricketCountry, loves following and playing sports. He is a Team India fan and loves winning. Follow him on his twitter handle @karan13dewan.)

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