Former Indian Test opener, Aakash Chopra doesn’t think Jason Roy will score big runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Roy was signed after Bangladesh star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan pulled out of the 16th edition of IPL.
While, in SA20 2023, playing for Paarl Royals in the inaugural edition, English opener Roy managed just 171 runs at an average of 15.54 in the 11 innings.
Aakash Chopra acquired Jason Roy after Shreyas Iyer’s injury-
“Kolkata have called Jason Roy. Roy’s graph has been up and down. When the SA20 was on, it seemed the guy might not score even one run, he might not be able to do anything. Then he eventually went and scored an international century as well but then he again goes down suddenly,” said cricketer-turned-commentator.
However, after SA 20 at the start of this year, he has been in excellent form, scoring an ODI century against Bangladesh last month–and following it up with an unbeaten 145, while playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“He refuses to come every time. His name was in Gujarat’s squad but he didn’t come. So he wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity if so many people were not unavailable. He is a gun player for a pitch like that but I am not very confident, considering his recent form,” he further added.
Can't wait to see you in ??! ?
See you soon, Jason Roy! ?@JasonRoy20 #AmiKKR #TATAIPL2023 pic.twitter.com/oDwq2HDecs
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 5, 2023
ESPNCricinfo reported that Shakib informed Kolkata Knight Riders of his opting out of the IPL 2023 tournament on Sunday as he will be busy for Bangladesh. He and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das already missed Knight Riders’ first match of the season, against Punjab Kings while playing a home T20I series against Ireland. KKR’s regular skipper Shreyas Iyer is also injured and is likely not to feature anytime soon.
KKR has signed Jason Roy for INR 2.8 crore for the rest of the IPL 2023 tournament. Roy’s base price was INR 1.5 crore. The right-handed batter last played in the IPL in 2021 for Sunrisers Hyderabad and scored 150 runs in five matches.
Roy was previously signed with Gujarat Titans for IPL 2022 but had opted out of the tournament citing the challenge of staying in the tournament bubble for an extended period. Roy wasn’t picked at the IPL 2023 auction.
As Nitish Rana-led KKR lost their opening game of IPL 2023–KKR will play their next match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 6 at Bengaluru.