Just before the all-important fixtures of the Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders has received a massive injury boost, as their explosive batsman Chris Lynn is all set to return to action in the coming days.
The hard-hitting Australia batsman has been on the sidelines since injuring his left shoulder during the game against Mumbai Indians on April 9.
In what was the third injury to the same shoulder in less than two years, Lynn suffered the bad-looking injury after landing awkwardly on his shoulder while chasing a high catch off Jos Buttler.
Since suffering the injury, Lynn has stayed in Kolkata to recover and he is now very close to starting training, according to his teammate Colin de Grandhomme.
“He is trying to get back as fast as he can. He will be training with us today so let’s see,” Colin de Grandhomme told reporters on Tuesday (May 2).
Meanwhile, Lynn himself had told he is nearing full fitness.
“The shoulder is slowly getting there. I had a cortisone injection the other day and it worked really well,” Lynn had earlier told Cricket Australia (CA)’s website from Kolkata.
“I’m going to have my first bat and I’m feeling really confident about it. The shoulder has come up really well. It’s positive signs but I’ve still got a long way to go. I’d like to ideally play a game or two before the finals. It would be a bit unfair on the teammates to rock up into a final not having played a game (since the injury),” he had added.
Lynn’s inclusion will be a massive boost for the high-flying Knight Riders who are looking well-set to make it to the playoffs. With seven wins from 10 games, they are currently placed second on the table and need one more win in the four remaining games to secure a playoff berth.
Lynn’s comeback could also see the end of Sunil Narine as an opener. The West Indian has done reasonably well with the bat, providing his team the quickfire starts but he is likely to make way for the Australian when he returns.
In the two matches that Lynn had played prior to suffering the injury, he had scored 125 runs including a 41-ball 93 against Gujarat Lions.