Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI
Kolkata Knight Riders have been handed a major setback ahead of IPL 2021. Batsman Rinku Singh has notably been ruled out of the 14th edition of the tournament after getting injured in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Gurkeerat Singh Mann joins KKR
The fans started to wonder when they saw Gurkeerat Singh Mann playing in the ongoing intra-squad practice match on Saturday.
It was later confirmed by KKR that the Punjab all-rounder has indeed joined the franchise as the replacement of Rinku Singh. Mann, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021, remained unsold in the auction conducted in February.
Here is what KKR said in their press release:
"Kolkata Knight Riders have signed up Gurkeerat Singh Mann as replacement for batsman Rinku Singh, who will be unavailable for the entire season due to a knee injury.
"Rinku, who made his IPL debut in 2017 has played a total of 11 IPL games. His replacement, Gurkeerat, last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 before being released ahead of the IPL 2021 auction.
"Kolkata Knight Riders have acquired Gurkeerat at his base price of INR 50 lakh. The IPL 2021 will be Gurkeerat's eighth IPL season."
Gurkeerat Singh Mann’s IPL record
The 30-year-old all-rounder is an experienced IPL campaigner. Mann has been playing the tournament since 2012 and has made a total of 41 appearances. He has notched up 511 runs at an average of 21.29 and a strike-rate of 121.09. The Punjab cricketer can also bowl a bit of off-spin and has 5 wickets to his name in IPL.