KKR announce Johnson Charles as replacement for Litton Das for remainder of IPL 2023

Litton Das left the IPL 2023 due to personal reasons and is scheduled to play for Bangladesh against Ireland.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have roped in West Indies batter Johnson Charles as a replacement for Bangladesh’s Litton Das for the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2023, the franchise confirmed on social media on May 4, 2023.

Earlier this month, Litton had left the Knight Riders' camp to attend to a family member's medical issue. He was purchased at the auction in December of last year for INR 50 lakh (about USD 60,000), and he only participated in one game of the IPL 2023.

Litton had also been selected to represent Bangladesh in an ODI series beginning the following week against Ireland. He would have been absent for three of the Knight Riders' last four games as they continue to compete for a postseason spot.  

This was Litton’s first time playing in the Indian Premier League and he managed just one game, against Delhi Capitals (DC) and couldn’t do much with the bat and wasn’t much impressed with the gloves behind the stumps as well.

Two-time T20 World Cup winner Johnson Charles joins KKR for INR 50 lakhs

Charles brought in for INR 50 lakhs, was a member of the West Indies team that was crowned T20 champions in 2012 and 2016, and has an extensive experience at the top of the batting order. He has opened in 179 of his 219 T20 innings, averaging 25.47 and striking at 125.72.

Charles was out of the West Indies squad for six years before being brought back in October 2022 and participating in seven T20Is since then. In March, he scored a century off just 39 balls against South Africa. The 34-year-old will be playing in the IPL for the first time; he has previously played in franchise leagues in the Caribbean, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.

The right-handed batter has also batted in the middle order, as two of his three T20 centuries from Nos. 3 and 4, which may come in handy given KKR have two other players who present an attractive package as opening batters.

KKR, currently eighth on the points table, face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday and have matches scheduled with Punjab Kings (May 8), Rajasthan Royals (May 11), Chennai Super Kings (May 14), and Lucknow Super Giants (May 20).