Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has decided to skip IPL 2023 after Bangladesh didn’t allow him to be available for the entire season. KKR’s other recruitment, wicketkeeper-bat Litton Das will join the franchise, albeit till May 1.
With Bangladesh slated to play three ODIs in Ireland in May, a cloud of uncertainty loomed large over their IPL stars. Sportskeeda has learnt that the injury-ravaged Knight Riders wanted the two Bangladesh players available for the entire IPL. They were also hopeful of convincing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the same.
However, when the Knights failed to do so, they suggested Shakib to pull out completely to free up a slot and 1.5 crore of the purse. The star all-rounder, who is in good terms with the franchise, understood their reservations and decided to withdraw from IPL 2023. In an ODI World Cup year, one can understand BCB’s stance. KKR are willing to sign a foreign like-for-like replacement who doesn’t have national commitments.
The Bangladesh T20I skipper was initially touted to join the KKR squad in Mohali ahead of their IPL 2023 opener against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Saturday. But the 36-year-old was picked for the only Test versus Ireland starting tomorrow.
understands that the same was communicated to Litton Das as well, but the dynamic opener has agreed to the limited availability. He will fly out of Dhaka once the Test match ends on April 8.
However, he is most likely to part ways after KKR play the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Kolkata on April 29. Bangladesh wants to play a practice game before the first ODI begins in Chelmsford on May 9.
Full list of KKR players for IPL 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders squad: Nitish Rana (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Narayan Jagadeesan, Vaibhav Arora, Suyash Sharma, David Wiese, Kulwant Khejroliya, Litton Das, Mandeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson (hamstring injury), Shreyas Iyer (back injury)
Shakib Al Hasan Pulls Out Of League, Litton Das Only Available From THIS Date
Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) haven’t started IPL 2023 on a positive note, losing a rain-hit tie to Punjab Kings in Mohali last week. They were hoping that their Bangladeshi recruits Shakib al Hasan and Litton Das will be joining the side soon to boost their lineup with skipper Shreyas Iyer almost out of IPL 2023 with injury.
However, ahead of the first home game of the season at the Eden Gardens on Thursday against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), news has come in that Shakib has pulled out of IPL 2023 while Litton Das will only be available after April 10 on completion of Bangladesh’s one-off Test against Ireland.
According to Cricbuzz website, the Bangladesh all-rounder has formally informed the KKR of his unavailability for the IPL 2023 season. “International commitments and personal issues are believed to have been cited as the reasons for his absence for the league, which is in its first week,” Cricbuzz reported.
According to the website, Shakib, who was bought by the franchise for his base price of Rs 1.5 crore at the IPL 2023 auction, is believed to have called the KKR management and wanted to be excused for the season, contrary to speculation that he has been released by the franchise.
“It is understood that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has refused to release the two players, Shakib and Das, insisting that they be available for the Test taking place in Mirpur although the initial impression that the franchise had was that they could take part in the IPL immediately after the white ball series that ended March 31,” the Cricbuzz report said.
The BCB had informed the BCCI that its players will be available for the IPL 2023 for only a limited period of April 8 to May 1. The BCCI note to the franchises on the Bangladesh players was, ‘Limited Availability. Players selected for Ireland series will be available from 8 April to 1 May’.
Litton Das, bought at the base price of Rs 50 lakh, has informed the KKR management that he will show up for the league. He is expected in Kolkata by April 10. KKR will take on Faf du Plessis-led RCB on April 6 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The RCB have begun IPL 2023 with an impressive eight-wicket win over five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday.