Image Credit- Getty
Captain: Sunil Narine
Coach: Phil Simmons
Last season finish- Group Stage exit
The LA Knight Riders in the MLC’s first season appeared to be in control. Their dismal on-field performance was evident in their 1-4 win-loss record, even though they had a roster full of T20 icons. After losing four of their first four games, the club fell into a slump. The extent of the losses, which included being blasted out for 114 and 50 in their opening two games, was even more concerning.
Throughout the inaugural season, the standard of domestic batting talent plagued every MLC side. Though a few were able to show flashes of brilliance, the LAKR domestic batting talent was a complete disaster. Even worse, players like Jason Roy and Martin Guptill were unable to have a significant influence at the top.
Longtime KKR supporters Sunil Narine and Andre Russell were still among the runs and wickets, but their lack of surrounding support prevented them from turning their standout individual efforts into game-winning ones. In particular, Russell appeared to be playing at his most lethal with a strike rate approaching 160 and an incredible 68 average with two fifties. With an ECON of 6.4, Narine was as frugal with the ball as she had ever been. The only thing that saved KKR was a spectacular performance by Rilee Roussow in the final league game, which gave the team its first taste of success.
This season, Rilee Roussow will give way to David Miller, a more distinguished compatriot. During the height of English cricket summer, Jason Roy and a few other English players will make a break for it domestically. Waqar Salamkheil, an Afghanistan wrist spinner, is anticipated to bowl alongside captain Sunil Narine. Spencer Johsnon, an Australian left arm fast, will lead the bowling attack, with Josh Little as a backup seam option. The other members of the international team are Alex Carey, Andre Russell, and Shakib Al Hassan.
At the domestic draft, LAKR selected TNPL wicketkeeper-batsman Adithya Ganesh as their first pick with a $75,000 selection. Due to his immigration on a spousal visa, Ganesh, who participated in the TNPL as recently as 2023, qualified as a local player. Despite having poor returns the previous season, Unmukt Chand, Saif Badar, and USA batter Nitish Kumar managed to hold onto their spots on the roster. After being passed over for a home World Cup, Chand would particularly want to make a statement in what was envisioned as a fantastic comeback tale. Corne Dry, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, and USA quicks Ali Khan and Shadley Khan add a certain class to LAKR’s domestic bowling reserves.