Brad Hogg reveals that KKR initially didn’t want Chris Lynn in the team

Two times champions Kolkata Knight Riders began their 2017 campaign with a blast in Rajkot, as openers Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir set the pitch on fire by recording a first wicket stand of 184 runs and winning the game by 10 wickets.

In what was an intelligent move, KKR management decided to let Lynn open the innings in place of the regular Robin Uthappa, and the gamble played off well. The Australian smashed 93 runs off just 41 balls and if the target set by Gujarat Lions was more, he would have made his first IPL ton as well.

The innings saw him hit indeed 8 sixes and 6 fours to complete the formalities against Gujarat. KKR found a star in their team when Andre Russell’s absence was hitting them hard.

However, Brad Hogg – former KKR player – says that KKR almost decided to discard Chris Lynn when they thought of removing his name from the list of retained players in 2016.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Hogg said, “Last year or the last season, they were to take him (Lynn) off the list of the auctions. They put him on the list just before the cut off list. He had been told that he is not coming.”

Hogg further revealed that Mumbai Indians’ then coach Ricky Ponting had recognized the potential in Lynn and wanted him in the Mumbai line-up. “Ricky was licking his lips. He was the coach of Mumbai Indians and he wanted him. His play would have really suited the Mumbai wicket. Kolkata nearly missed the big powers of Chris Lynn. It would have been devastating for them to not have Chris Lynn in their squad.”

Lynn, who looked good at the start of the innings against the Mumbai Indians, couldn’t stick to the crease for long on Sunday night. But the batsman’s prowess is now known to all.