Outlook:
It appeared inevitable that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan would become the proprietor and public face of a Los Angeles-based cricket team. After participating in the CPL and UAE’s ILT20, the Knight Riders franchise will attempt to realize their American ambition with the LA Knight Riders. As they did in the IPL 15 years ago, the Knight Riders will feature a galaxy of luminaries from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the inaugural game of the league against the Texas Super Kings.
How did they fare in the domestic draft:
LAKR wasted little time securing Ali Khan, a world-traveling T20 sensation for the United States, as their first draft selection. Since 2018, the Knight Riders have maintained a long-standing relationship with Ali. Earlier India Unmukt Chand was selected in the second round as a captain after two productive Minor League Cricket seasons in which he scored over 1,000 runs in 30 games. The Knight Riders continued to have faith in Jaskaran Malhotra, the American six-sixer. After turning his back on Canada and becoming a US resident, former Canada captain Nitish Kumar is given a chance.
LAKR surprised many by selecting 19-year-old all-rounder Ali Sheikh with their sixth selection. Despite a reserved U23 category for American cricketers, LAKR drafted him in the senior category ahead of first-class professionals such as Saif Badar and Shadley Van Schalkwyk. He was widely regarded as the finest youth cricketer in America. Former South African Under-19 fast bowler Corne Dry was also rewarded for his consistent domestic performances in the United States.
International signings:
Roy made headlines after signing a two-year deal with LAKR in the midst of the English summer and terminating his ECB incremental contract. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, two KKR devotees, will be crucial to the LAKR game plan. In addition, Narine has been appointed as the franchise’s first captain. LAKR also added the explosive middle-order batsman Rilee Rossouw and the aggressive wrist spinner Adam Zampa. Martin Guptill of New Zealand and paceman Spencer Johnson of the Brisbane heat will round out LAKR’s international contingent.
Probable XI :
Jason Roy, Unmukt Chand, Martin Guptill, Rilee Rossouw, Jaskaran Malhotra, Ali Sheikh, Andre Russel, Sunil Narine, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Corney Dry, Adam Zampa
