Good News For KKR, Star Player All Set To Rejoin Squad Ahead Of IPL Playoffs

Kolkata Knight Riders have been in scintillating form in IPL 2024. The Shreyas Iyer led side has almost sealed a spot in the IPL playoffs.

Phil Salt replaced Jason Roy as the latter pulled out of IPL 2024 citing personal reasons. But it has emerged to be a big boon for the team as the explosive opener has taken the IPL 2024 by storm with his batting.

However, with a T20I series scheduled against Pakistan this month, Phil Salt could leave for England and it would further jeopardize KKR's chances in the IPL playoffs. BCCI is reportedly negotiating a deal with ECB which would allow the England players to skip the upcoming series against Pakistan but nothing has been confirmed so far.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz who happens to be a like to like replacement for Phil Salt, hasn't played a match yet this season. The Afghanistan wicketkeeper reportedly flew back to Afghanistan to be with his ailing mother at the start of this month.

But in a major boost, he has now confirmed that he will be returning to join the KKR squad very soon. He took to social media to announce his return.

“After a short break from IPL due to my mother’s illness, i will join my kkr family very soon, thanks for all the messages and prayers, alhumdulillah she is feeling better now thanks.”

Should Phil Salt leave for England, Gurbaz will be an automatic replacement and he will then open the batting with Sunil Narine. Salt has been in enormous form having already amassed 429 runs which included four fifties to his name.

Gurbaz joined KKR in 2023 and had a decent season with the bat having scored 227 runs in 11 matches. Salt's departure would be a massive jolt for KKR who are aiming to win their third IPL trophy. Gurbaz is expected to join his KKR teammates next week as per reports.

Gurbaz was also named in Afghanistan's ICC T20 World Cup squad and is likely to be the preferred choice behind the wicket. KKR management would hope Gurbaz gets the ball rolling the moment he gets to fancy his chances on the pitch.