England swashbuckling opener Jason Roy joined the two-time champions–Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of their third match against defending Champions Gujarat Titans on Sunday. Interestingly, Gujarat signed him during IPL 2022 but opted out of the tournament citing the challenge of staying in the bio-bubble amid the Covid pandemic.
Kolkata Knight Riders signed Jason Roy for INR 2.8 crores as a replacement for Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who pulled out of the tournament due to his personal commitments. Earlier, Jason Roy wasn’t picked at the IPL 2023 auction.
The right-handed batter last played in the IPL in 2021 for Sunrisers Hyderabad and scored 150 runs in five matches. The England opener had an experience of playing in the sub-continent conditions–and can be a vital player for Men in Purple.
We know you have been waiting for this! ?
????????, Roy da! ?@JasonRoy20 #AmiKKR #TATAIPL2023 pic.twitter.com/eQmIExQP18
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 8, 2023
Jason Roy hit one of the fastest T20 centuries playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League 2023–and recently did well for England as well in the Bangladesh series. Jason Roy has been an incredible player for England in white-ball cricket–and has an impressive strike rate of 137.61 in 64 T20I innings.
Jason Roy in his 13 IPL innings, has accumulated a total of 329 runs at an average of 29.91. Additionally, his T20I career boasts a total of 1,522 runs across 64 matches, including eight half-centuries.
Jason Roy Can Be Used As An Impact Player – Chandrakant Pandit
Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit said that the England opener can be used as an impact player. Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on their home soil after three long years.
“We will be missing two players. Roy is a top-order batter and he can be used as an impact player,” Chandrakant Pandit said.
Earlier on Thursday, Shardul Thakur was at his absolute best against RCB, though his team struggled at 89-5 in 11 overs Thakur showed positive intent to score right from the beginning of his innings. He went on to score 68 runs off just 29 balls, which eventually helped KKR to clinch their first win in the cash-rich league.
Though Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first win in the league stage, they will have a lot of things to address in form of their top-order batting and power-play bowling as they were vulnerable in both departments in the opening two games. They will look to rectify mistakes when they take on Gujarat Titans on April 9 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.