The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2024, currently boasting four wins from their first few matches. A key tactical decision to deploy Sunil Narine as an opener has proven to be a masterstroke.
Narine has not only contributed with the ball but has also played some impactful innings at the top of the order, forging solid partnerships with Philip Salt. This strategy came about due to Jason Roy‘s withdrawal from IPL 2024.
Jason Roy’s Withdrawal from IPL 2024
At the IPL 2024 mini-auction, the KKR secured England opener Roy for INR 1.5 crore. However, ahead of the season, Roy opted out of IPL 2024 due to personal reasons. While he initially refrained from disclosing the specifics, he has now revealed the motivations behind his withdrawal. Salt joined the KKR squad as Roy’s replacement.
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Roy explains the reason behind the withdrawal
In a recent interview, Roy explained his decision to withdraw from IPL 2024. He acknowledged it was a difficult choice but cited his desire for both personal time and workload management. Roy wasn’t part of England’s ODI World Cup squad in India this year (2023) due to injuries sustained while playing in various T20 leagues. This lack of recent match play, combined with his personal reasons, ultimately led him to prioritize his well-being and skip the IPL season.
“Missing this year’s IPL was a huge decision. I felt like I owed them a huge amount, but I just had to put myself first, just mindset and body,” Roy said on ‘The Athlete’s Voice’ podcast.
“I’ve come off the back of not a huge amount of cricket. The last couple of months have really taken it out of me. It’s your decision. A lot of thought has gone into it, and it’s become far easier to talk about and a far easier decision, just because you know, especially from past experiences, what that can do to you,” the English cricketer added.
