IPL 2023: 3 Players KKR must release next season

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) began the IPL 2023 season with a big setback as their skipper, Shreyas Iyer got ruled out of the competition. Still, fans were hoping for a good season from them. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished the season with 12 points in 14 games. 

Apart from top performances from some players like Varun Chakravarthy, and Rinku Singh, there were some players who disappointed fans terribly. Despite having a ton of experience in the domestic arena, IPL, and international circuit, those players failed to live up to their expectations.  

Here are three players whom KKR must look to release next IPL season:

Mandeep Singh

This veteran Indian batter was expected to have a good season for KKR in IPL 2023. But Mandeep Singh disappointed the fans as he scored only 14 runs in three matches, at an average of 4.67 and a strike rate of 87.50. In three innings, he managed a duck also. So, it was a disappointing season despite KKR giving him chances during the initial stages of the competition.

In the IPL Auction 2023, KKR acquired the services of this batter for INR 50 Lakhs. Speaking about his IPL career so far, Mandeep has scored 1706 runs in 111 matches, at an average of 20.80 and a strike rate of 123.89. So, seeing him failing in such a way, KKR must release him and look for another better option.   

Tim Southee

This veteran Kiwi pacer has been a part of the KKR franchise since 2021. Tim Southee had a good IPL 2022 as he picked up 14 wickets in nine matches, at an economy of 7.86. So, in IPL 2023, he was expected to be the spearhead of the available bowling attack of the team. But he failed miserably.

In two matches, Southee managed only two wickets at a high economy of 13.17. After that, in order to have a proper balance in playing XI, KKR decided to opt him out and use the other four foreign players. So, KKR must look to release him and go for young players who can be more lethal.        

Umesh Yadav

This veteran Indian pacer was a part of KKR from 2014 to 2017. Then, KKR brought him back in IPL 2022 for INR 2 Crores. In that season, Umesh Yadav took 16 wickets in 12 matches, at an economy of 7.06. So, fans were hoping for a better season this time around, especially being an Indian bowling option.

But, in IPL 2023, Umesh took only one wicket in eight matches, at an economy of 9.95. In the later stage, the team also decided to opt him out of the playing XI due to his hamstring injury. So, KKR must look to release him for the next season. A young Indian pacer can be a better option for the franchise.