Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be going into the upcoming IPL 2020 with a new-look team, especially at the top of the order. They have purchased some big-name players, but also let go of one particular batsman during the IPL auctions.
That batsman was Chris Lynn, their destructive opener, who, along with Sunil Narine had formed a terrific partnership for the KKR at the start. Unfortunately, he was let go and will be donning the Mumbai Indians’ color in the tournament, which begins on September 19.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik said the opener's exit was something that was influenced by a change in team dynamics.
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"I think Chris Lynn, whatever time he spent with KKR, he is an absolute gun, he has done so well for them over a period of time. But so are the dynamics of an auction you need to let go of some players to change the dynamics of the game. It was actually with a heavy heart we let Lynny go. He was someone whom I was very fond of as a personality," Karthik said in an interview with IPL's official website.
"We are a very aggressive team, we will stick to that style and make sure we play it with a smile on our face though,” he added.
The KKR team spent a fortune on acquiring the services of fast bowler Pat Cummins from Australia (Rs 15.5 crore) and England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan (Rs 5.25 crore).
"We wanted somebody who is probably world-class and there is nobody better than Pat Cummins in the world right now. He is the best bowler in the world right now. It's an absolute privilege to have him on board."
The most important thing, the little conversations I have had with him, he is a gem of a guy. And that matters a lot to us. He looks like the kind of bowler who will impart knowledge and more importantly bowl those key overs for us and make the difference in close games," Karthik said.
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Karthik said he is keen on learning from Morgan and collaborating with him to make sure KKR delivers in IPL 2020.
“The fact that Eoin Morgan is there, a couple of times I met him, he is an absolute gem of a guy. A World Cup-winning captain just handling all types of players from different countries but made sure they played as a unit for England and probably the best side in the world in the white-ball format, especially in one-day cricket,” Karthik said.
"I am going to try and learn as much as possible from him. He is a terrific guy, a good cricket brain. I am looking forward to working with him and sort of collaborating with him and make sure we do the best we can for KKR,” the skipper signed off.
