Kolkata: Two-time Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders have already reached the playoffs of Indian Premier League season 11 after they beat table toppers SunRisers Hyderabad in their last league encounter. Though after the auction process earlier in January, many critics had said that it would be tough for KKR to make it to the playoffs as they don’t have much experienced players in the squad and the middle order looks a bit fragile than other teams. The team management mostly backed young players this season to showcase their talent and the young guns didn’t let down the team as well as they performed throughout the tournament to take their side in playoffs. Here we will talk about 4 young players from the squad who made the difference in many games:
Shubman Gill
He was player of the tournament in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup. At first the KKR team management used to give him chances in the lower order despite of knowing that he is a top order batsman. He failed in some matches due to that reason, later the team management sent him at the top order and after that he started showing his true colors with his bat. In a crucial game against CSK in Kolkata he scored his maiden half century to take his side home. He has played 11 matches so far for KKR in this season and scored 145 runs with a strike rate of 142.15.
Nitish Rana
Rana has been a game changer for Kolkata Knight Riders with both bat and ball in this season. In 13 matches he has scored 279 runs and picked 4 wickets so far. During most of the matches he took wickets for the side in a crucial time and hit a lot of boundaries and sixes to help the Kolkata based outfit to reach the playoffs.
Shivam Mavi
His fierce pace bowling in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup was just a treat to watch at this age. Due to his impressive performance KKR management signed him for this season’s IPL. In 8 matches he has taken 4 wickets so far but in these matches his fast bowling with good economy rate was lauded by many cricket legends and he has all the potential to become a great fast bowler in future.
Prasidh Krishna
He got a call up from KKR team management after Indian U19 cricket team’s Kamlesh Nagarkoti got an injury in the mid season. After coming in the playing XI he has played a crucial role in the team’s success in this season. In a must win game against table toppers SRH he took 4 wickets to give his side a crucial win.