Head coach Jacques Kallis welcomed some important acquisitions, as the Kolkata Knight Riders prepared for the possibility of the 2019 Indian Premier League being played away from the sub-continent.

The tournament might be moved to the United Arab Emirates or South Africa if there is a conflict with next year’s national elections in India.

The Knight Riders bought South African seamer Anrich Nortje, New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and England batsman Joe Denly at Tuesday’s player auction in Jaipur.

‘We have a well-balanced side now that we’ve got to play in another country. We needed a few more bowlers and we’re fortunate enough to get what we wanted. Getting Brathwaite wasn’t a punt – he was in our top-five list, and being an all-rounder he adds balance to the team,’ said Kallis.

Kolkata released Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc earlier this year, while countryman Mitchell Johnson was with the franchise before retiring recently.

‘As captain and coach decided, we have a very settled team. There were very specific gaps we needed to fill, so it was great to get Carlos. We saw him in the Caribbean Premier League,’ added Knight Riders chief executive officer, Venky Mysore.

‘Lockie brings us pace and firepower with the new ball. We have the money and we have all the slots sorted now.’

READ ALSO: Ingram heralds ‘hype, buzz’ of IPL

Photo: Gallo