IPL 2021 – Gautam Gambhir on Kolkata Knight Riders: Former India batsman and two-time IPL winning Kolkata Knight Riders is completely baffled by franchise’s strategy to retain few players. Gambhir has expressed surprise that the franchise has decided to retain left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep only played in 5 out of 14 games for KKR in the 2020 season, despite Sunil Narine missing a few games.
“I am a little surprised about Kuldeep Yadav being retained because he did not get the opportunities. I would have wanted to see Kuldeep Yadav go to a franchise where he gets an opportunity to play,” the former left-handed batsman said.
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‘He should be given opportunity to go somewhere else’
“Because if you are playing for India and not part of your franchise’s playing XI, it somewhere or the other be harmful to your career.”
KKR also retained Varun Chakravarthy and Narine in the team, and in that case, it seems Kuldeep may find it hard to make it into the team in the 2021 season.
“Now that you have retained him, they should play him. Otherwise, I feel Kuldeep Yadav should have himself said that if he is not in their scheme of things, he should be given an opportunity to go and play somewhere else,” he added.
“If Kuldeep Yadav had come into the auction, a lot of franchises would have gone for him,” he signed off.
| Year | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 (Retain) | ₹ 58,000,000 | |
| 2019 (Retain) | ₹ 58,000,000 | |
| 2018 | ₹ 58,000,000 | |
| 2017 | ₹ 4,000,000 | |
| 2016 | ₹ 4,000,000 | |
| 2015 | ₹ 4,000,000 | |
| 2014 | ₹ 4,000,000 | |
| 2012 | ₹ 1,000,000 | |
| Total | ₹ 191,000,000 | |
