IPL: 5 popular players who never played a single match for KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most successful IPL franchises, having lifted the coveted trophy twice in 10 seasons. Over the course of 10 editions, many world-class players have plied their trade for the franchise, including the likes of Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Shane Bond etc.

However, due to the presence of such star names, many other great players ended up not representing the franchise a single time despite being in the squad. Here is a look at five players who never donned the KKR colours:

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#5 Varun Aaron

India are not often blessed with bowlers who can touch the 150 kmph mark, but in Varun Aaron, they managed to unearth one.

His raw pace was negated by inaccuracy and inconsistency though, resulting in him playing just 18 matches for India across formats.

In the IPL too he has flattered to deceive with a career economy rate of well over 8. He got his first taste of the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders, who picked him up for the third edition. However, with star-studded names like Shane Bond and Ajantha Mendis in the mix, Aaron could never get a look in.

He did not play a single game for KKR all season and subsequently headed off to the Delhi Daredevils for the next few editions.

#4 James Pattinson

James Pattinson

Pattinson was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for USD 100,000 ahead of the 2011 IPL. Much to his chagrin though he did not get a single game that season and ended up on the sidelines in the next two editions as well.

In fact, Pattinson, despite being a part of three IPL seasons, has still never set foot on the field. He is, however, a great bowler in his own right, when fit. Injuries though have wrecked a major part of his career and he has slipped off the radar of late.

#3 Shaun Tait

Shaun Tait

When fit, Australian pacer Shaun Tait was one of the quickest bowlers going around. Possessing lethal pace and a deadly yorker, Tait was tailormade for the shorter formats of the game and was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for the third edition of the IPL.

However, poor performances meant he was not a regular member of the side. He was thrown into the auction pool in the 7th edition but remained unsold.

However, as luck would have it, an injury to John Hastings in IPL 2016 meant KKR turned to Tait as his replacement and signed him up. However, he never played a game for the Gautam Gambhir led franchise and subsequently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2017.

#2 Jimmy Neesham

Jimmy Neesham

A hard-hitting southpaw and a handy quick bowler, New Zealand's Jimmy Neesham possesses all the skills needed to master the T20 format of the game, but somehow he could never master the IPL.

Bought by Delhi Daredevils in the 2014 IPL auctions, he featured in just four games for them that season, managing 42 runs at a strike rate of under 100 - not numbers that warrant retention.

He was released by DD but picked up by KKR for IPL 2015. However, he did not play a single game for the franchise and has never been seen in India's marquee T20 league since.

#1 Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson rose to prominence with his performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2013. He averaged 25 in that tournament and proved to be one of the finds of IPL 2013.

However, that rise came only after he had spent the entire 2012 IPL season warming the benches for Kolkata Knight Riders. With the likes of Gambhir, Bisla, Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan in the KKR ranks, there was simply no room for the talented Samson to get a game.

KKR would be regretting letting him go the next season though as he has emerged as one of India's brightest talents, cementing his spot in the Rajasthan Royals ranks.