Without Sourav Ganguly, KKR readying for IPL4

Barring Sourav Ganguly, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gradually picking up home-grown players with latest addition of Laxmikant Shukla, Shreevats Goswami and Mohammad Shami Ahmed for Indian Premier League (IPL) 4.

Already bagged Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary on auction Day 1 in Bangalore, the KKR lately singed three Bengal players – former skipper and all rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla, wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami and and media fast bowler Mohammad Shami Ahmed.

Goswami had been with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the previous season.

The KKR, with these new hands, most expensive batsman Gautam Gambhir (worth at US$2.4 million), and Yusuf Pathan (worth $2.1 million), are ready to face the challenge for the 4th edition under chief coach Dav Whatmore.

The other recruits are Jacques Kallis (South Afirca), Brad Haddin (Australia), Shakib Al Hasan(Bangladesh), Bret Lee (Aus), Eoin Morgan (England), Laxmipati Balaji, Jaydev Unadkat, Ryan ten Doeschate (Holland), and James Pattinson (Aus),