IPL 2023: Three players who can replace Shakib Al Hasan in Kolkata Knight Riders

Shakib Al Hasan IPL 2012. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Indian Premier League season 16 has got underway and the fans are already loving the riveting action the first few matches of the tournament have offered. While most of the teams have their lineups finalised coming into the tournament, some are still struggling to fill the gaps in their teams due to the unavailability of certain players because of injuries or personal reasons.

Kolkata Knight Riders did not get off to a good start in IPL 2023 as they lost their opening match against Punjab Kings by 7 runs (DLS Method) and to make matters worse for the two-time champions, star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has made himself unavailable for the ongoing season due to personal reasons.

Shakib has represented KKR in 8 seasons of IPL and replacing him could prove to be a big headache for the franchise. As KKR march on in the IPL 2023, let’s take a look at the possible replacements of the star all-rounder from Bangladesh.

Here are three players who could replace Shakib al Hasan in the ongoing season:

1. Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

The former Afghanistan captain has played an integral part in his side’s rise in world cricket in recent times. He represented Sunrisers Hyderabad for five years in the IPL from 2017-2021, scoring 180 runs at a strike rate of 151.26.

Nabi has also been handy with the ball as he’s picked up 13 wickets in 17 matches of his IPL career.

The 38-year-old can be an ideal replacement for Shakib as he can contribute with both bat and ball for the side.

2. Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell. (Photo Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The New Zealand batter has been an integral part of the national side over the past few years scoring runs across formats. Daryl Mitchell has turned out to be a reliable batter in the middle order and can also roll his arm over to bowl some crucial overs.

The Kiwi player played two IPL matches in 2022 and has 33 runs to his name.

In his T20I career, he has scored 954 runs at an average of 28.90 and a strike rate of 140.91. He also has five fifties to his name. He has further picked 8 wickets in the format at an average of 18.50.

Mitchell can be a solid batter for KKR in the middle and, if needed, can also deliver a few overs for the side. This makes him another ideal replacement for Shakib.

3 Travis Head

Travis Head. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Australian batter has been in sensational form of late, averaging above 50 in both Tests and ODIs since 2022. Head has been a part of three IPL seasons where he’s scored 205 runs in 10 matches at an average of 29.29 and a strike rate of 138.51.

In the 55 innings of his Big Bash League career, Head has scored 1394 runs at an average of 27.88 and a strike rate of 130.40. He further has eight fifties and one hundred to his name.

The southpaw, who has been in the form of his life over the past two years, can prove to be a destructive batter for KKR in the ongoing season as they are relying heavily on all-rounders instead of proper batters in their playing XI.