Jason Roy replaces Shakib Al Hasan in Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the IPL 2023

KKR are already without captain Shreyas Iyer for the season.

Kolkata Knight Riders have signed English opener Jason Roy as a replacement for all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib, who was supposed to join the franchise on March 31st after Bangladesh's limited overs home series against Bangladesh, has opted to skip the Indian Premier League season.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has named Shakib Al Hasan in the squad for the ongoing test series against Ireland. Shakib was a part of KKR's winning squad in 2012 and 2014 and was picked late in the mini-auction as the final pick.

The addition of Jason Roy allows for greater flexibility at the top for KKR. 32-year-old Roy was picked up for Rs 2.8 crores and has featured in the past for Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Lions, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The hard-hitting opener has scored 1522 runs from 64 T20 internationals at a strike rate of 137.61 with eight fifties to his name.

Jason Roy had opted out of IPL 2022 after Gujarat Titans had signed him up at the auction. He had taken an 'indefinite break' from cricket to spend more time with his family due to the taxing nature of staying within bio-bubbles.

KKR lost their first match to Punjab Kings by seven runs in a rain-affected game. Under stand-in captain Nitish Rana, qualifying for the playoffs will be a difficult challenge. Shreyas Iyer is set to undergo back surgery and will miss the World Test Championship final as a consequence. The Knight Riders next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on the 6th of April at the Eden Gardens.

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