Why Kolkata Knight Riders should go for Mohammed Shami instead of Mitchell Starc in IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

India Cricket Team ace pacer Mohammed Shami will be going under the hammer in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. And this has presented a wonderful opportunity for teams to spill their cash for the ace speedster. Among all teams, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be desperate to go for the veteran pacer. Here we take a look at why KKR should go all out for Shami.

Shami missed the entirety of IPL 2024 after undergoing surgery on his ankle. This saw Gujarat Titans releasing Shami on IPL 2025 Retention Day. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders too didn’t retain Mitchell Starc, their highest price player of last season.

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Performance and Consistency

Kolkata Knight Riders are building on a different strategy for IPL 2025. KKR will be targeting specialized Indian players in this mega auction. And Mohammed Shami absolutely fits the bill. Shami’s incredible performances and consistency are a major key to why KKR should be targeting him.

Shami has already raked up 79 wickets from just 77 IPL matches. Time and again he has performed under pressure which will make him a valuable and reliable asset for the defending champions. Mitchell Starc had a decent season last year, scalping 17 wickets from 14 games, but in no way justified his high price of 24.75 crores.

Home Advantage

It is safe to say that Mohammed Shami’s home venue is Eden Gardens. This works wonders for Kolkata Knight Riders who play all their home matches in Kolkata. Since Shami plays for Bengal in the domestic circuit, he knows the Eden Gardens pitch and conditions better than anyone. And this home advantage will surely pay huge dividends during IPL 2025.

Financial Considerations

Kolkata Knight Riders retained their core setup on IPL 2025 Deadline Day. The defending champs retained 6 players and now have a budget of 51 crores remaining. So KKR has to spend their money carefully. With Shami returning from injury, in no way his price is going to be like Starc’s last season. So if KKR can manage to rope in the superstar for an amount close to 10-12 crores, it would be a brilliant deal for the Kolkata-based outfits.

Leadership and Experience

Mohammed Shami has a wealth of experience. The 34-year-old can join the KKR setup, act as a leader, and share his experience with the youngsters. And this will work wonders for young Harshit Rana. While Starc last season showcased inconsistency, Shami as a mentor would be a brilliant deal for the KKR.