WATCH: Virat Kohli's team win intense fielding drill ahead of India vs Bangladesh Test series
'My mother is still recovering in the hospital... But I knew my KKR family needed me': Rahmanullah Gurbaz after KKR reach IPL 2024 final
IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz played his first match of the season and contributed with a cameo against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
When an in-form Phil Salt left the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp for national duty ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs, there was a concern over his replacement. Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz who had not played a single game of the season joined KKR but there were doubts whether he will be able to fill Salt’s big shoes as the latter was their second-highest run-scorer in the season. But Gurbaz made the opportunity count with a fiery cameo to get the run chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) underway. After the comprehensive eight-wicket win, Gurbaz revealed that his mother is still recovering in the hospital back home.
“My mother is still recovering in the hospital, I speak to her every day. But I knew my KKR family needed me here once Phil Salt left. So I came back from Afghanistan, and I'm happy to be here. My mother is happy for me too,” Gurbaz said in the post-match press conference.
Gurbaz’s electrifying cameo
In the run chase of 160, Gurbaz got off the mark with a boundary against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In the second over, he made up for the dot deliveries by hitting SRH captain Pat Cummins for a maximum. He smashed a six and a four off Bhuvneshwar's wicket. In the fourth over, his cameo came to an end. He lost his wicket to left-arm pacer T Natarajan. The opener scored 23 runs from 14 balls and got KKR off to a blazing start.
Iyer praises Gurbaz
Skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded Gurbaz for his cameo as he said in the post-match presentation: “It was Gurbaz's first game and he gave an impactful start.”
Gurbaz was impressive behind the wickets as well. He took the catches of Nitish Reddy and Cummins.
KKR will now face the winner of the Qualifier 2 in the IPL 2024 final at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on May 26.
Gurbaz’s numbers in IPL 2023
Gurbaz made his IPL debut in 2023. He scored 227 runs from 11 games at an average of 20.64 including two half-centuries. His strike rate was 133.53.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Rising star joins Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 squad as late addition after IPL 2024 heroics
Popular Posts
IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma on verge of two milestones during India vs Bangladesh Test series
After Rinku Singh, Virat Kohli gives unique gift to RCB teammate ahead of Bangladesh Test series: see PHOTO
WATCH: MS Dhoni enjoys time in USA with friends, spotted watching NFL game in Michigan amidst CSK retention rumors for IPL 2025
IND vs BAN: Axar Patel likely to be rested for first Test match between India and Bangladesh; Check details
Exclusive | 'Bumrah liked me so much and asked me the grip': Pakistan-born pacer reveals 'even Rohit couldn't pick my deliveries'
Travis Head names young Indian batter who ‘makes bowling look slow’, predicts him to be ‘an absolute freak’
Ravichandran Ashwin set to break plethora of records in Test series against Bangladesh: Check details
'He switched on the karaoke and...': R Ashwin recalls Ravi Shastri's lifted team's spirits after 36 all out vs Australia by singing at team dinner
'Some new promising players who no longer have...': Sunil Gavaskar warns Rohit Sharma's India ahead of Test series against Bangladesh