Kolkata Knight Riders entered into the 15th edition of the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Premier League (IPL)</a> under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. But, the two-time IPL champions failed to get their act together and had a dismal performance in the marquee event. They finished in the seventh position with six wins in 14 games. As KKR gear up to put an improved performance in IPL 2023, they might suffer a major setback as Shreyas could miss the tournament due to a back injury.&nbsp;

The Indian batter complained of back pain during the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia and due to the injury, he did not take part latter in the game. Also, Shreyas has been sidelined for the upcoming ODI series against the Aussies. It is still uncertain whether he would be able to achieve full fitness for the 16th IPL edition which is set to kickstart on March 31.

If Shreyas does not take part in the forthcoming season of the cash-rich league, KKR will need to appoint a new skipper for the season. Let us look at the candidates for Kolkata’s captaincy position.

Here are three players who can lead KKR in Shreyas Iyer's absence

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Nitish-Rana-1.jpg" alt="Nitish Rana" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Nitish Rana. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/batter-nitish-rana-speaks-his-mind-after-not-receiving-india-call-up-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nitish Rana</a> has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. He has piled on 2073 runs in 66 List-A matches at an average of 39.11, and bagged 41 wickets at an economy of 4.64. Coming to the shortest format, &nbsp;the 29-year-old has amassed 3862 runs in 161 matches at a strike rate of 136.27 and picked up 40 scalps at an economy of 6.99.

Nitish has proven his mettle in the lucrative T20 tournament as well. He has obliterated bowlers with his marauding batting display and stamped his authority on the cricket field. Nitish has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ set-up since 2018 and has aggregated 1744 runs in 74 games for KKR at a strike rate of 135.61.&nbsp;

The southpaw is the current captain of the Delhi domestic team in white-ball formats and has done a decent job in the role. Therefore, the Kolkata franchise could hand him the leadership duties of the side for the upcoming season, if Shreyas is unavailable.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2014/05/Sunil-Narine-e1558605300358.jpg" alt="" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Sunil Narine for the last couple of months has been trying his best to modify his errant bowling action. (Photo: BCCI)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/anything-you-do-in-cricket-is-challenging-sunil-narine-ahead-of-ilt20-in-the-uae-5204/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunil Narine</a>&nbsp;has been a bankable name in the shortest format of the game. He has featured in 439 T20 matches and bagged 478 wickets at an economy of 5.99. On the batting front, the 34-year-old has hammered 3412 runs in as many outings at a superb strike rate of 147.45.

Narine made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and has been associated with the franchise since then. He has been a match-winner for the franchise with both bat and ball. The Arima-born has picked up 152 wickets in 148 IPL matches at an economy of 6.63 and smashed 1025 runs at an incredible strike rate of 162.70.

In the International League T20 2023, KKR-owned franchise Abu Dhabi Knight Riders entrusted Narine to lead the side. With Narine already being entrusted with leadership duties for the franchise, KKR team management could ponder over selecting the ace all-rounder as their leader for the sixteenth edition, if Shreyas isn't available for the forthcoming edition of the IPL.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2022/04/Tim-Southee-1.jpg" alt="Tim Southee" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Tim Southee. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/kane-williamson-and-tim-southee-to-skip-sri-lanka-odi-series-to-join-their-ipl-squads-early/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Southee</a> is one of the finest pacers that New Zealand cricket has produced. He has rattled batters with his swing and provided his side with early breakthroughs. Also, the 34-year-old has been impeccable at the death, stemming the flow of runs and chipping in with crucial wickets.

Southee has made 107 appearances for his national side in the shortest format and picked up 134 wickets at an economy of 8.16. His exceptional tally of wickets is the most by a bowler in the T20Is. The ace pacer has shown his bowling might in the Indian Premier League too. He has played 52 IPL games and bagged 45 scalps at an economy of 8.53.&nbsp;

Moreover, Southee has displayed his leadership credentials in the international arena. He has led the Blackcaps in the shortest format in skipper Kane Willaimson's unavailability and has fared well in the role. Also, the veteran seamer is New Zealand's incumbent captain in Tests.&nbsp; Southee is a proven leader and can definitely be a contender for KKR’s captaincy.

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175">IOS App Store</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker">Google Play Store</a>

Kolkata Knight Riders entered into the 15th edition of the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Premier League (IPL)</a> under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. But, the two-time IPL champions failed to get their act together and had a dismal performance in the marquee event. They finished in the seventh position with six wins in 14 games. As KKR gear up to put an improved performance in IPL 2023, they might suffer a major setback as Shreyas could miss the tournament due to a back injury.&nbsp;
The Indian batter complained of back pain during the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia and due to the injury, he did not take part latter in the game. Also, Shreyas has been sidelined for the upcoming ODI series against the Aussies. It is still uncertain whether he would be able to achieve full fitness for the 16th IPL edition which is set to kickstart on March 31.
If Shreyas does not take part in the forthcoming season of the cash-rich league, KKR will need to appoint a new skipper for the season. Let us look at the candidates for Kolkata’s captaincy position.
<h3>Here are three players who can lead KKR in Shreyas Iyer's absence</h3>
<h3>3. Nitish Rana</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Nitish-Rana-1.jpg" alt="Nitish Rana" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Nitish Rana. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/batter-nitish-rana-speaks-his-mind-after-not-receiving-india-call-up-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nitish Rana</a> has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. He has piled on 2073 runs in 66 List-A matches at an average of 39.11, and bagged 41 wickets at an economy of 4.64. Coming to the shortest format, &nbsp;the 29-year-old has amassed 3862 runs in 161 matches at a strike rate of 136.27 and picked up 40 scalps at an economy of 6.99.
Nitish has proven his mettle in the lucrative T20 tournament as well. He has obliterated bowlers with his marauding batting display and stamped his authority on the cricket field. Nitish has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ set-up since 2018 and has aggregated 1744 runs in 74 games for KKR at a strike rate of 135.61.&nbsp;
The southpaw is the current captain of the Delhi domestic team in white-ball formats and has done a decent job in the role. Therefore, the Kolkata franchise could hand him the leadership duties of the side for the upcoming season, if Shreyas is unavailable.

<h3>2. Sunil Narine</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2014/05/Sunil-Narine-e1558605300358.jpg" alt width="564" height="360" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Sunil Narine for the last couple of months has been trying his best to modify his errant bowling action. (Photo: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/anything-you-do-in-cricket-is-challenging-sunil-narine-ahead-of-ilt20-in-the-uae-5204/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunil Narine</a>&nbsp;has been a bankable name in the shortest format of the game. He has featured in 439 T20 matches and bagged 478 wickets at an economy of 5.99. On the batting front, the 34-year-old has hammered 3412 runs in as many outings at a superb strike rate of 147.45.
Narine made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and has been associated with the franchise since then. He has been a match-winner for the franchise with both bat and ball. The Arima-born has picked up 152 wickets in 148 IPL matches at an economy of 6.63 and smashed 1025 runs at an incredible strike rate of 162.70.
In the International League T20 2023, KKR-owned franchise Abu Dhabi Knight Riders entrusted Narine to lead the side. With Narine already being entrusted with leadership duties for the franchise, KKR team management could ponder over selecting the ace all-rounder as their leader for the sixteenth edition, if Shreyas isn't available for the forthcoming edition of the IPL.

<h3>1. Tim Southee</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2022/04/Tim-Southee-1.jpg" alt="Tim Southee" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Tim Southee. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/kane-williamson-and-tim-southee-to-skip-sri-lanka-odi-series-to-join-their-ipl-squads-early/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Southee</a> is one of the finest pacers that New Zealand cricket has produced. He has rattled batters with his swing and provided his side with early breakthroughs. Also, the 34-year-old has been impeccable at the death, stemming the flow of runs and chipping in with crucial wickets.
Southee has made 107 appearances for his national side in the shortest format and picked up 134 wickets at an economy of 8.16. His exceptional tally of wickets is the most by a bowler in the T20Is. The ace pacer has shown his bowling might in the Indian Premier League too. He has played 52 IPL games and bagged 45 scalps at an economy of 8.53.&nbsp;
Moreover, Southee has displayed his leadership credentials in the international arena. He has led the Blackcaps in the shortest format in skipper Kane Willaimson's unavailability and has fared well in the role. Also, the veteran seamer is New Zealand's incumbent captain in Tests.&nbsp; Southee is a proven leader and can definitely be a contender for KKR’s captaincy.
For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175">IOS App Store</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker">Google Play Store</a>

Kolkata Knight Riders entered into the 15th edition of the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Premier League (IPL)</a> under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. But, the two-time IPL champions failed to get their act together and had a dismal performance in the marquee event. They finished in the seventh position with six wins in 14 games. As KKR gear up to put an improved performance in IPL 2023, they might suffer a major setback as Shreyas could miss the tournament due to a back injury.&nbsp;
The Indian batter complained of back pain during the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia and due to the injury, he did not take part latter in the game. Also, Shreyas has been sidelined for the upcoming ODI series against the Aussies. It is still uncertain whether he would be able to achieve full fitness for the 16th IPL edition which is set to kickstart on March 31.
If Shreyas does not take part in the forthcoming season of the cash-rich league, KKR will need to appoint a new skipper for the season. Let us look at the candidates for Kolkata’s captaincy position.
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Here are three players who can lead KKR in Shreyas Iyer's absence</h3>
<h3>3. Nitish Rana</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Nitish-Rana-1.jpg" alt="Nitish Rana" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Nitish Rana. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/batter-nitish-rana-speaks-his-mind-after-not-receiving-india-call-up-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nitish Rana</a> has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. He has piled on 2073 runs in 66 List-A matches at an average of 39.11, and bagged 41 wickets at an economy of 4.64. Coming to the shortest format, &nbsp;the 29-year-old has amassed 3862 runs in 161 matches at a strike rate of 136.27 and picked up 40 scalps at an economy of 6.99.
Nitish has proven his mettle in the lucrative T20 tournament as well. He has obliterated bowlers with his marauding batting display and stamped his authority on the cricket field. Nitish has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ set-up since 2018 and has aggregated 1744 runs in 74 games for KKR at a strike rate of 135.61.&nbsp;
The southpaw is the current captain of the Delhi domestic team in white-ball formats and has done a decent job in the role. Therefore, the Kolkata franchise could hand him the leadership duties of the side for the upcoming season, if Shreyas is unavailable.

<h3>2. Sunil Narine</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2014/05/Sunil-Narine-e1558605300358.jpg" alt="" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Sunil Narine for the last couple of months has been trying his best to modify his errant bowling action. (Photo: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/anything-you-do-in-cricket-is-challenging-sunil-narine-ahead-of-ilt20-in-the-uae-5204/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunil Narine</a>&nbsp;has been a bankable name in the shortest format of the game. He has featured in 439 T20 matches and bagged 478 wickets at an economy of 5.99. On the batting front, the 34-year-old has hammered 3412 runs in as many outings at a superb strike rate of 147.45.
Narine made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and has been associated with the franchise since then. He has been a match-winner for the franchise with both bat and ball. The Arima-born has picked up 152 wickets in 148 IPL matches at an economy of 6.63 and smashed 1025 runs at an incredible strike rate of 162.70.
In the International League T20 2023, KKR-owned franchise Abu Dhabi Knight Riders entrusted Narine to lead the side. With Narine already being entrusted with leadership duties for the franchise, KKR team management could ponder over selecting the ace all-rounder as their leader for the sixteenth edition, if Shreyas isn't available for the forthcoming edition of the IPL.

<h3>1. Tim Southee</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2022/04/Tim-Southee-1.jpg" alt="Tim Southee" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Tim Southee. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/kane-williamson-and-tim-southee-to-skip-sri-lanka-odi-series-to-join-their-ipl-squads-early/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Southee</a> is one of the finest pacers that New Zealand cricket has produced. He has rattled batters with his swing and provided his side with early breakthroughs. Also, the 34-year-old has been impeccable at the death, stemming the flow of runs and chipping in with crucial wickets.
Southee has made 107 appearances for his national side in the shortest format and picked up 134 wickets at an economy of 8.16. His exceptional tally of wickets is the most by a bowler in the T20Is. The ace pacer has shown his bowling might in the Indian Premier League too. He has played 52 IPL games and bagged 45 scalps at an economy of 8.53.&nbsp;
Moreover, Southee has displayed his leadership credentials in the international arena. He has led the Blackcaps in the shortest format in skipper Kane Willaimson's unavailability and has fared well in the role. Also, the veteran seamer is New Zealand's incumbent captain in Tests.&nbsp; Southee is a proven leader and can definitely be a contender for KKR’s captaincy.
For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175">IOS App Store</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker">Google Play Store</a>

Kolkata Knight Riders entered into the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. But, the two-time IPL champions failed to get their act together and had a

3 players who can be captaincy options in Iyer's absence

Shreyas Iyer could miss the 16th IPL edition due to a back injury.

IPL 2023: 3 players who can lead KKR in Shreyas Iyer's absence

Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the ODI series against Australia and also looks uncertain for the 2023 edition of the IPL. Let us look at three players who can lead KKR in Shreyas Iyer's absence.