Kolkata Knight Riders have suffered yet another injury setback even before the start of this year’s Indian Premier League. This time their South African recruit Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the entire season with a shoulder injury. The two-time IPL champions have already lost the services of their young pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. The franchise later roped in KC Cariappa and Sandeep Warrier to replace Mavi and Nagarkoti respectively.
Mavi will miss the upcoming season due to a stress fracture in his back. Mavi is likely to be out of action for at least six months. The right-arm pacer had made his IPL debut last and had gone on to play 9 matches, picking a total of 5 wickets. Nagarkoti, who had missed the last season too, will also miss this season with a back injury too.
Cariappa is not new to playing in IPL, having played for Kings XI Punjab already. He has so far played 10 IPL games, picking up 8 wickers. In the just-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the spinner played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s title triumph by taking 10 wickets at an average of 20.60.
Sandeep, on the other hand, had finished the last season of Ranji Trophy as Kerala’s highest wicket-taker, picking up 44 wickets and helping the team make it to their first-ever semifinal in the competition.
Sandeep also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he picked up 8 wickets in the first six games including a hat-trick against Andhra. The upcoming season with Knight Riders will not be his first stint in the IPL.
And now Anrich Nortje has confirmed he would not be able to play this season. The South Africa speedster took to Twitter to confirm the news, writing:
“Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury I’ve had to pull out of the @IPL. I wish @KKRiders all the best and bring the trophy back home!! #KKRHaiTaiyaar”
Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury I've had to pull out of the @IPL. I wish @KKRiders all the best and bring the trophy back home!! #KKRHaiTaiyaar
— Anrich Nortje (@AnrichNortje02) March 20, 2019
The 25-year-old hogged the limelight while playing for the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League last year. He was later picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 20 lakh.
Nortje recently made his ODI debut during the series against Sri Lanka. He played four games, picking up five wickets. Meanwhile, the Knight Riders will start their IPL 2019 campaign with a clash versus the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens on March 24.