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Days before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 kicks off, England opener Jason Roy has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming season citing personal reasons. This marks the second time in three seasons that Roy, who was representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has opted out of participating in the prestigious tournament.
Previous contributions
Roy, known for his explosive batting style, was one of the key performers for the Knight Riders in the previous edition of IPL. Despite his absence for a portion of the tournament due to injury, Roy made a significant impact, amassing 283 runs in eight matches with an average of 35.83 and a formidable strike rate of 151.60.
Jason Roy’s diverse cricketing ventures
After joining KKR, Roy also inked deals with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 and the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in Major League Cricket. Notably, he declined a central contract offered by the England Cricket Board (ECB). Although he was acquired by the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2022 mega auction, he withdrew from the tournament before its commencement. Additionally, Roy represented the Delhi Capitals (DC) during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
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KKR announces Roy’s replacement
In light of Roy’s withdrawal, KKR has swiftly named Phil Salt as his replacement for the 2024 season. Salt, another talented English opener, is currently ranked second in the ICC rankings for T20I batters. He previously played for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2023 IPL season, where Salt showcased his batting prowess by scoring 218 runs in nine matches at an average of 27.15 and an impressive strike rate of 163.91.
Despite not being picked in the IPL auction for the current season, Salt’s inclusion adds depth to KKR’s batting lineup. According to a statement by the IPL, KKR secured Salt’s services for INR 1.5 crore.
