Sandeep Warrier has become the sixth player from Kerala to get an IPL deal for the upcoming season. The right-arm pacer will ply his trade for two-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders.
Warrier was one of Kerala’s brightest spots in the remarkable last season of the Ranji Trophy where he and his teammates claimed their place in history after powering the team to its maiden semi-final in the country’s premier first-class competition.
Warrier continued his impressive show in the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy too where he picked up a hat-trick in the thrilling eight-run win over Andhra last month. And KKR, on Wednesday, rewarded him by handing the deal for the upcoming season.
The Knight Riders will not be his first franchise in the IPL. He was previously a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp for three seasons from 2013 to 2015. However, he did not get to play a single game. From 2016 till the last year, there were no buyers for him in the auction before his impressive displays made KKR sign him up at the last moment.
Apart from him, five other players from Kerala who will be in action this IPL are – Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Basil Thambi (Sunrisers Hyderabad), KM Asif (Chennai Super Kings) and Mithun Surendran (Rajasthan Royals).
KKR, meanwhile, already have a good all-round pace attack with the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Harry Gurney, Andre Russell, P Krishna and Kamlesh Nagarkoti in the side. Warrier’s addition will give them an experienced player as far as domestic conditions are concerned.
