Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has pulled out of the ongoing 2023 Indian Premier League. He has informed the franchise about his unavailability citing International commitments and personal reasons. The all-rounder was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 1.5 crore at the auctions.
Shakib Al Hasan was expected to join the Kolkata Knight Riders after the conclusion of the Test match against Ireland. However, as per reports, the Bangladesh Cricket Board asked the all-rounder to play the ODI series against Ireland, which begins on May 9. Shakib would have only been available to play the IPL for around 20 days. In Shakib Al Hasan’s absence, the Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t yet named a replacement player. The think tank must be deliberating over the possible replacement options.
Let’s take a look at the three players who may replace Shakib Al Hasan in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the 2023 IPL.
3 Players who can replace Shakib Al Hasan in the KKR squad
1. Mohammad Nabi
Mohammed Nabi has been an experienced player and will be an ideal replacement for Shakib Al Hasan in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. He has played 17 IPL matches so far, scoring 180 runs at a strike rate of 151.26. He has also picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.14. The all-rounder has played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and was also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders last season. He was released by the franchise ahead of auctions, where he remained unsold.
2. Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell made his Indian Premier League debut last season for the Rajasthan Royals. He played two matches for the franchise, but couldn’t leave much of an impact. He managed just 33 runs in the two innings. While his Indian Premier League stats might not be great, Mitchell is an experienced player who can provide solidity to the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. In 45 T20I matches for New Zealand, he has scored 954 runs at a strike rate of 140.91.
3. Wayne Parnell
The Kolkata Knight Riders might look in at South African pacer Wayne Parnell as Shakib Al Hasan’s replacement for the 2023 Indian Premier League season. Parnell has a decent experience playing in the league. He has taken 26 wickets in as many games in the tournament. However, he hasn’t played an Indian Premier League game since 2014. Overall, in 56 T20Is, Parnell has taken 59 wickets, with 5/30 as his best bowling figure.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.