Blow for KKR! Umran Malik RULED OUT of IPL 2025, replacement announced

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a massive blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Fast bowler Umran Malik has been ruled out of the tournament with an unspecified injury. 

Umran Malik was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 auction for INR 75 lakh. The fast bowler was in the NCA for the last few months, and it was expected that he would get fit by the time the league starts. But that wasn't the case. 

"KKR pick Chetan Sakariya as a replacement for Umran Malik" - IPL statement

Umran Malik failed to recover in time and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't take much time in calling the replacement. The defending champions added left-arm fast bowler Chetan Sakariya for the IPL 2025. The development was confirmed by the official website of IPL, mentioning that Sakariya will be joining at INR 75 lakh. 

"KKR pick Chetan Sakariya as a replacement for Umran Malik. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked Chetan Sakariya as a replacement for Umran Malik for the upcoming edition of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Umran Malik is ruled out of the season due to an injury," the statement from IPL read. 

Chetan Sakariya was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders last year but didn't get to play a single game in the IPL 2024. He now is keen to cash on the opportunity and help his team defend the title. The pacer will be joining the team soon before the league starts. 

Chetan Sakariya has played 19 games in the IPL so far. The pacer has taken 20 wickets at an economy of 8.43. He made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and then moved to Delhi Capitals in 2022. Overall in the T20s, he has picked 65 wickets from 46 games at an economy of 7.69. 

Chetan Sakariya will be playing under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane in the IPL 2025. The premier batter was recently appointed as the skipper of the team after the franchise parted ways with Shreyas Iyer, who took them to the total win in IPL 2024.

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