3 Players who can replace Eoin Morgan at KKR in IPL 2021

It is now confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be hosting the remaining matches of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arb Emirates (UAE) in September and October. While the new schedule of IPL 2021 has left the fans ecstatic, a few IPL franchises have received massive blows. 

It is learned that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied the possibility of the England players participating in the remainder of IPL 2021. Team England has a jam-packed cricket calendar as they will be up against India in the five-match Test series from August 4 to September 14. The Indian series will be followed by England playing limited-overs series against Bangladesh and Pakistan in September and October respectively.

Thus, no central contract-bound England player will be provided with NOC to participate in IPL 2021. Two-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be one among the many teams to get affected by the absence of English cricketers. Eoin Morgan is an invaluable asset for KKR as he contributed both as a batsman and a leader. While in the absence of Morgan, Dinesh Karthik is expected to take over the reins again, Knight Riders will also be looking at various options for replacing Morgan as a batsman in the middle-order. Let’s take a look at –

Players who can replace Eoin Morgan at KKR in the remaining IPL 2021

1. Alex Carey

Australia’s 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey can be a potential player to replace Eoin Morgan in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. Carey started his journey in the Indian Premier League during the 2020 edition as he was picked by Delhi Capitals for INR 2.4 crores. However, the Loxton-born failed to capitalize on the opportunity provided to him and produced an ordinary performance with the willow and gloves.

Carey featured in three IPL matches scoring just 32 runs at an average of 16 and strike rate of 110.3. However, we can’t judge a player by just one bad season. Carey is relatively new in the cricket fraternity and has a long journey ahead. The 29-year-old proved his capabilities during the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League as he emerged as a star for his franchise Adelaide Strikers.

In BBL 2020-21, Alex collected 412 runs in 12 matches including one century at an average of 34.33 and strike rate of 126.38. The 29-year-old was also decent behind the stumps as he completed 20 catches. Thus, it won’t be a surprise if KKR ropes in Carey as a replacement for Morgan since he can also act as a good backup option for Dinesh Karthik.