IPL 2025: The 3-time IPL champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have one of the most dominant teams in IPL history. Having won in 2012, 2014, and 2024, the defending champions had a great past when it comes to their bowling line-ups.
Here’s the list of Kolkata Knight Riders bowling stars who took tournament by storm:
Shoaib Akhtar (2008)
The former Pakistani speedster and world’s fastest bowler, Shoaib Akhtar was one of the lethal bowlers during his play days. The “Rawalpindi Express” once played in IPL. He played in the inaugural edition of the IPL and played for the Knight Riders.
Akhtar scalped 5 wickets in his only season with a best bowling figures of 4/11 vs Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals).
Brett Lee (2011-2013)
The former Aussie legend, Brett Lee was one of the most lethal bowlers for Australia during 20s. His sheer pace with great accuracy, made him a killing machine on cricket field. During his last phase in cricket, Lee played for the Knight Riders. He played a pivotal role in KKR’s winning quest in 2012.
For KKR, Lee scalped 16 wickets in 25 matches with a best bowling figures of 2/26.
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Morne Morkel (2014-2016)
The former Protean fast bowler and current bowling coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Morne Morkel was once considered as the most fearsome bowler during his era.
The tall-lanky fast bowler played for the Knight Riders in 3 seasons and scalped 32 wickets for them in 29 matches with best bowling figures of 2/18.
Mitchell Starc (2024)
The last on the list is Australia’s spearhead, Mitchell Starc who was roped in by the Knight Riders for a whopping price of 24.27 Cr, which made him the then “Most Expensive Player” in IPL history.
Starc ended up as an IPL champion in the 2024 edition. Starc scalped 17 wickets in 14 matches with a best bowling figures of 4/33.
New-Gen Fast Bowlers
After Starc’s exit, KKR roped in young Umran Malik, who’s been in headlines due to his sheer pace deliveries clocking 150+ for the upcoming 2025 IPL-edition. Let’s see what fate holds for the 3-time IPL champions.
