KKR’s Salt leaves, Gurbaz likely to fill in the vacancy
Times of India | 15 May 2024
Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders will have a new opening combination when they take on Rajasthan Royals in their last league match in Guwahati on Sunday. Prolific English opener Phil Salt left for national duty on Tuesday, thus leaving a gap at the top, which is likely to filled by explosive Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Salt, who came in as a replacement for Jason Roy who pulled out of this IPL due to personal reasons, has been part of every KKR match this season, keeping wickets as well as opening the innings.In this sense, Gurbaz, who did the duty last season for most games, should walk into his shoes quite smoothly.
Although assured of a top-two spot, the match against RR is the perfect opportunity for Gurbaz to settle in. The Afghan player, who had played in 11 matches for KKR last season, had to warm the benches this time, with Salt forming a lethal opening combination with Sunil Narine. In fact, most of the foundation for KKR’s reasonably successful IPL campaign so far was laid by this combination.
Gurbaz had briefly returned to Afghanistan mid-way to attend to his ailing mother. He is back in the KKR camp and would be eager to see some action.
Salt, in his 12 innings this season, scored 435 runs at a strike rate of 182. With a highest of an unbeaten 89, the Englishman contributed four half-centuries to KKR’s cause. Gurbaz had scored 227 runs last season, with a highest of 81. However, his strike rate of 133.5 was much lesser that Salt’s.
KKR also have wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat in the ranks, but the Indian might remain a stand-by.