Given the decent pool of talent it has had over the years, Kolkata Knight Riders has been one of the underperformers of the IPL. Following 4 years of disappointment the franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan was able to win the championship in 2012 but it came a cropper again in 2013 and missed out on a spot at the Champions League T20. So in 2014 it is expected that there could be some changes made to the line up so that the team performs better than what it did in 2013.
Gautam Gambhir: He has led the team with distinction and has also been one of the most consistent run scorers. He should be there in 2014 without any doubt.
Sarabjit Ladda: The legspinner has featured in the India A team but did not get much game time during 2013 due to the phalanx of spinners at KKR’s disposal. Still, it would be surprising if he was allowed to go.
Lakshmipathy Balaji: He performed well in 2012 but was off color in 2013, which cost the franchise. Still, given the effective nature of his bowling he could be there in 2014.
Rajat Bhatia: He has been a creditable, if not exceptional, performer for KKR in the last few seasons and given the slow and low nature of the Eden Gardens pitch could find himself in the mix for 2014 as well.
Manvinder Bisla: He did well in the 2012 IPL final and 2013 did not go that well for him. He also does not play regular first class cricket. So it would really be a surprise to see him again in 2014.
Debabrata Das: He had a poor 2013 and is also not a regular fixture in the Bengal Ranji team. So it could be a surprise to see him in the team again in 2014 as well.
Brad Haddin: He is the best wicketkeeper Australia has but still was unable to find a place in the first team last season. It would be really surprising to see him in the team in 2014.
Iqbal Abdulla: He has performed creditably in 2013 and also has shown some capability with the bat at the first class level. He should be there in 2014 as well.
Jacques Kallis: He had an ordinary 2013 by his lofty standards. Still, given his sheer class and capability should not miss out in 2014.
Brett Lee: Like Kallis, he too was unable to contribute much to the campaign and was bogged down by injury and additional responsibility as bowling coach. It may be a hard decision but he should be allowed to go but only if he is not fit enough.
Brendon McCullum: His absence throughout the tournament was a major blow to the chances of KKR. The team needs a gunslinger at the top and who better than him to revive the campaign in 2014?
Ryan McLaren: He got only 2 matches last season and a player of his caliber should be given more chances to prove himself. He should be there in the squad for 2014 as well.
Mohammed Shami: He may not have performed that well for the franchise but given his recent form and his capability to swing the ball at good pace should find a regular place in the first team in 2014.
Eoin Morgan: He scored runs consistently last season and has also led the England one day team against Australia this year, which gives him some leadership credentials. He should be in there come 2014.
Sunil Narine: He was the leading wicket-taker for the team in 2013 and overall has been one of the finest players for the franchise. He should be leading the spin attack in 2014 as well.
Sumit Narwal: In spite of being a bowling allrounder he acquitted himself well with the bat in 2013. He is not the most eye-catching cricketer but generally does a decent job but it would still be a surprise if he were in the team in 2014.
Yusuf Pathan: He was the leading run scorer the last time around and recently has also appeared in the Challenger Trophy. However, he has not been as consistent as he would like to be and thus there could be some doubt about his spot in the team in 2014.
Pradeep Sangwan: He did not make any impact last year and also has been suspended by the BCCI for the violation of its doping norms. So it is unlikely that he will be persisted with in 2014.
Sachithra Senanayake: He was the second best bowler behind Sunil Narine in 2013 and formed an effective spin combination in the matches they played together. He should be there in the team in 2014 as well.
Shakib Al Hasan: He was not available throughout the campaign last year and there are plenty of spinners in the team yet he has a class that few can match and this is the reason he should be in the team in 2014 as well.
Laxmi Ratan Shukla: In spite of being a good performer in domestic cricket he does not get the opportunities he deserves. Still he has not performed well in those limited opportunities. So, there is a good chance that he may be allowed to leave in 2014 in spite of his local experience and overall nous.
Ryan ten Doeschate: “Tendo” was the second best batsman, statistically, for KKR in spite of the few opportunities that came his way. He should be retained in 2014 as well and also allowed to play more games.
Manoj Tiwary: He fared poorly in 2014 but has overall been a decisive batsman for the franchise in the last couple of years. So he should be in the team in 2014 as well.
James Pattinson: The big fast bowler from Australia is yet to play a match for KKR but given the franchise’s lack in fast bowling depth he should be eagerly welcomed back in 2014 as well.
