Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have bolstered their squad by acquiring the services of England’s swashbuckling opener, Jason Roy, after all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan withdrew from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. According to an official IPL statement, Roy has been signed for INR 2.8 crore for the 16th season, up from his base price of INR 1.5 crore.
KKR, the two-time champions, have recently been beset by key departures, with Shakib and skipper Shreyas Iyer both ruled out. While Shakib’s exit stems from family reasons and international commitments, Iyer is set to undergo back surgery, sidelining him for the entire campaign. It remains unclear if KKR will seek a replacement for their injured captain.
This marks Roy’s return to the IPL, having previously featured in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The 32-year-old last played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021, contributing 150 runs in five games, including a half-century. With an impressive international T20I record, boasting 1,522 runs at a strike rate of 137.61 and eight fifties, Roy brings much-needed firepower to KKR’s batting lineup.
The team’s leadership has been thrust upon Nitish Rana, initially appointed as stand-in skipper with the expectation that Iyer would return later in the season. However, with Iyer now ruled out entirely, KKR, coached by Chandrakant Pandit, faces a potential leadership void. Rana’s previous experience captaining Delhi in white-ball cricket will be invaluable as he navigates these challenges.
Searching for solace on home turf, KKR will look to bounce back and secure a victory in their upcoming IPL encounter against a formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore side. With Roy’s addition and Rana at the helm, the Knight Riders are eager to make their presence felt in IPL 2023.