KKR suffers setback before CSK match: key players will miss out

However, the grass is not all green for the Kolkata Knight Riders camp. Chief mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders, David Hussey confirmed that Pat Cummins and the white-ball Captain, Aaron Finch will not be playing in the first five matches of Kolkata Knight Riders. While it’s clear that Aaron Finch is busy till April 5 due to the ongoing white-ball series against Pakistan, Pat Cummins absence hasn’t been clarified though he finishes his matches on March 25. The first five matches of Kolkata Knight Riders will be against Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, chronologically.

David Hussey mentioned in this context that the players retain certain responsibilities towards their country team, and it is important to complete their internal matches first. Although KKR needs them here, international cricket ought to be the ‘para-limit’. Hussey, confirming that the two players will be missing out on the first five matches, mentioned that the two players will be cricket ready and cricket fit for the tournament. Hussey further added that they are efficient players who will fit in with the temperament of the rest of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in no time.

David Hussey praised the new captain and stated that Shreyas Iyer is a ‘born leader’ and respected by all the players in the Kolkata Knight Riders team. He further added that Pat Cummins, one such player who displays efficiency in leadership skills, will be an effective deputy to Shreyas Iyer. Hussey ascertains that Pat Cummins will be an effective leader in the group and once he reaches the field, he will be an effective guide to the team.

The fast bowler Pat Cummins and batsman Aaron Finch were key contributors to the team and their absence is certain to evoke issues in the gameplay of the team. Presently, the Australian team is involved in the ongoing test cricket match being played against Pakistan in Lahore. Currently, Pat Cummins is leading the Australian side of the team. The absence of Pat Cummins will be felt in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp because he was the one leading the pace attack for the team. In the initial five matches, Kolkata Knight Riders will be heavily reliant upon Andre Russell and Shivam Mani. On the batting side, Aaron Finch was considered as a replacement for Alex Hales, who pulled out of the tournament earlier.

After the tests, the Australian team will be playing 3 ODIs and a T20 against Pakistan. Finch will lead the team in the ODIs and T20 formats. The tour of Pakistan will end on April 5th. Although the two players will come to India after the series, they will need to be in mandatory three-day quarantine before joining in for the series. Thus it is likely that the duo will be missing  on the fifth match for Kolkata Knight Riders which will be played on 10th April against Delhi Capitals. Contradiction in the team exists for slots between Mohammad Nabi, Sam Billings and Chamika Karunaratne as Andre Russell and Sunil Narine lead the attack until Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch join. It will be interesting to see how the team copes with this situation under the new captaincy.