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England opener Jason Roy has opted out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, citing personal reasons. This unexpected withdrawal comes as a blow to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who were counting on Roy’s explosive batting at the top of the order.
Jason Roy prioritizes family after busy schedule:
The 33-year-old batsman stated the importance of taking a break, having been on the road continuously since the beginning of the year. Roy recently participated in the second edition of the SA20 with the Paarl Royals and is currently playing his trade for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Roy wishes KKR well:
While expressing his regret over missing the IPL, Roy has pledged his support to the KKR team. “After much consideration, I have made the tough decision to miss this year’s IPL. Having been away since the start of January I need to get back to my family and have a refresh before a very busy year ahead. I will be supporting my friends and teammates at KKR throughout the tournament and wish them the best of luck,” Roy said in a statement.
You’ll be missed Jason. But we understand 💜 pic.twitter.com/wrAdafC08G
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 11, 2024
Also READ: IPL 2024 – BCCI provides medical and fitness updates regarding Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna and Rishabh Pant
KKR quickly finds replacement in Phil Salt:
Despite the disappointment of Roy’s absence, the Knight Riders acted swiftly to find a replacement. The franchise has signed the dynamic English batter Phil Salt for his base price of INR 1.5 crore.
The 27-year-old Salt is known for his aggressive batting style and is fresh off a successful series against West Indies, where he smashed two consecutive centuries. He previously played for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2023 but went unsold at the auction this year.
Salt’s signing adds an unexpected twist to KKR’s IPL campaign. While Roy’s absence is undeniable, Salt’s presence offers a spark of hope. The upcoming season will reveal how well Salt adapts to the high-pressure environment of the IPL.
