Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a huge blow ahead of IPL 2025 as their star fast bowler Umran Malik has been ruled out of the entire season due to injury. The speedster from Jammu, known for his express pace, will miss all matches, significantly weakening KKR’s bowling attack.
KKR Brings in Chetan Sakariya as Replacement
To fill the gap left by Umran Malik, KKR has signed left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya for ₹75 lakh. Sakariya has experience in both domestic and international cricket, having played one ODI and two T20Is for India. In the IPL, he has taken 20 wickets in 19 matches, proving to be a reliable bowling option.
Umran Malik’s IPL Career So Far
Malik, who made waves in IPL 2022 with his fiery pace, has played 26 matches, claiming 29 wickets, with his best figures being 5/25. His absence will undoubtedly affect KKR’s bowling strength, as he was expected to play a key role in their attack this season.
KKR’s Major Squad and Captaincy Changes for IPL 2025
KKR has made significant changes to its squad and leadership for the 2025 season. Former skipper Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to a title last year, was released before the mega auction and was picked up by Punjab Kings, who also named him their captain. In his place, KKR has appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the new captain, with Venkatesh Iyer as his deputy.
KKR will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign on March 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team will be aiming to defend their title and continue their legacy in the tournament.
KKR Squad for IPL 2025
- Batters: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Lavneet Sisodia
- Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- All-rounders: Venkatesh Iyer (VC), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali
- Spinners: Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Markande
- Pacers: Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Chetan Sakariya
With a well-balanced squad featuring a mix of experienced stars and young talents, KKR is gearing up for an electrifying IPL 2025 season. Can they overcome setbacks and defend their title? Fans are eagerly waiting for the action to unfold.
