Cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The upcoming season promises to be another action-packed extravaganza, but it looks like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be without two of their star players from Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Kumar Das.
Kolkata Knight Riders picked up the two Bangladeshi players in the recent mini-auction. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has not yet given them the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to take part in the IPL, as Bangladesh has an international match at the same time.
Details on the Players and KKR
Litton Das, in particular, is likely to be missed as he was expected to open the batting for the team this season. However, KKR will be hoping to have both players available as soon as possible.
Shakib Al Hasan is a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, having established himself as one of the best all-rounders in the world. His experience and leadership skills will be valuable to KKR, especially since the team will be missing the services of Shreyas Iyer this season.
While Shakib will be available for KKR’s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on the 6th of April, Litton will only join the squad after their encounter against Gujarat Titans on the 9th of April. It’s a tricky situation for KKR, who will be without their skipper and two key international players for the first few games.
Playing alongside the explosive Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan could form a deadly combination that would strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams. However, much will depend on how soon he and Litton Das can join the team and start playing.
Other Missing Players
Aside from Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das missing the KKR opening match, KKR is also facing a dilemma when it comes to choosing their captain. Sunil Narine is not being considered for the role, according to reports. The team is exploring other options, including Tim Southee, and is waiting for Shreyas Iyer’s recovery update to make a final decision.
Before the announcement about Litton Das and Shakib al Hasan, it was reported that there have been players ruled out due to injury. These players were Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Will Jacks, Kyle Jamieson, and Jhye Richardson.
Despite these setbacks, KKR is preparing for the worst and has started discussions with potential replacements.
Details on Other Teams
KKR is not the only team to experience setbacks for the IPL. Among the big names in the league, star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be missing out on the upcoming edition of IPL due to their respective injuries.
Delhi Capitals have already announced David Warner as their new skipper for the forthcoming season, but the absence of Pant will undoubtedly affect the team’s balance. Mumbai Indians will also miss Bumrah’s fiery bowling, and it remains to be seen how they will fare without him.
Despite the setbacks, fans look forward to the start of IPL and hope for a thrilling season. The absence of some of the biggest stars may change the dynamics of the league. But it will also be an opportunity for the lesser-known players to step up and make a mark for themselves.
