Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch as a replacement for Alex Hales for IPL 2022. Incidentally, Hales has pulled out of the competition citing bubble fatigue.
The English cricketer has been on the road for the last four months having played in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). He played 13 matches in Australia and seven more in Pakistan. Alex Hales was unhappy to turn down the offer of playing in India.
Aaron Finch, who found no takers in the IPL auction held in February, will join the KKR team at his base price of INR. 1.5 Crore. Finch last played the IPL in 2020, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore.
🚨 Aaron Finch joins KKR as a replacement for Alex Hales.
Welcome to the #GalaxyOfKnights, @AaronFinch5! 💜#KKR #KKRHaiTaiyaar #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/3HnSyKogV2
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 11, 2022
However, he did not have the best of seasons, finishing with 268 runs in 12 matches at an average of 22.33 and a strike rate of 111.20.
Meanwhile, Finch’s signing ignited meme fest on Twitter with fans calling him a legend in the IPL.
Here are some reactions:
Aaron Finch be like..😁😁 pic.twitter.com/WSHfYNDPP9
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 11, 2022
Kolkata knight riders will be Aaron Finch's 9th team in the IPL.
Le his kid: pic.twitter.com/NGRW8o07GX
— ComeOn Cricket 🏏🇮🇳 (@ComeOnCricket) March 11, 2022
Aaron Finch's tour of India continues… Next stop, Kolkata 😂#IPL2022
— Prasen Moudgal (@Prasen_m4299) March 11, 2022
Aaron Finch in CSK next year kya? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CKW6RO7nfw
— Mahindro Sing Dhuni (@Gawd_Dhuni) March 11, 2022
Aaron Finch continuing the IPL tradition of joining a new team.pic.twitter.com/A5L67G1O0N
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 11, 2022
Aaron finch😂🤣🤣 #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/jbwoAezMxG
— CoLuMbO🤡 (@columboclown) March 12, 2022
Aaron Finch counting the teams which he has played in IPL for pic.twitter.com/QsE6cq1SBp
— Cricketcasm (@cricketcasm) March 11, 2022
Aaron Finch changing his IPL jerseys 😭pic.twitter.com/FGF4gZiGqm
— ° (@anubhav__tweets) March 11, 2022
Before KKR, Aaron Finch has represented eight teams namely Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), now-defunct Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, now-defunct Gujurat Lions, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and, most recently in 2020, Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He was top scorer for Melbourne Renegades in the last BBL, finishing with 386 runs in 10 innings at an average of 38.60 and a strike rate of 130.40, with four half-centuries.
The 35-year-old batsman would hope to replicate his form in the IPL as KKR look to end their trophy drought this after finishing runner-up in IPL 2021.
We are delighted to have Aaron Finch on board – KKR CEO Venky Mysore
The Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore was a happy person to have a batsman of Aaron Finch’s stature on board.
“We are delighted to welcome Aaron Finch, the T20 World Cup-winning captain, to the Knight Riders family. He is excited about joining the rest of the KKR squad in Mumbai and we look forward to benefiting from his vast experience,” he said in a statement.
KKR will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 26 at the Wankhede Stadium.
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