Picture Credit: Twitter
After Jason Roy pulled out of IPL 2022, everyone had been waiting for Gujarat Titans to announce the replacement. Suresh Raina was one player who was being linked to the franchise but all those rumours have now been put to rest. It has now been confirmed that Hardik Pandya-led franchise have roped in Afghanistan batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz as Roy's replacement for upcoming season.
"Gurbaz, an Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter, has played 20 T20Is, and has 534 runs against his name with the help of 3 half-centuries and a strike rate close to 138 in the T20 internationals. Gurbaz, who joins Gujarat Titans at his base price of INR 50 Lakh, will be the third Afghanistan cricketer alongside Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad to feature for the franchise," an official statement on IPL's official website read.
Gujarat Titans welcome Gurbaz with a cheeky request
The newest franchise in IPL welcomed the young explosive batsman on Wednesday, by sharing the timeline of incredible progress of Gurbaz in last few years. From representing Afghanistan U-19 team in 2018 World Cup to getting an IPL contract in 2022, it has indeed been a crazy ride for the youngster.
However, apart from praising him, the admin of GT also had a cheeky request from their new signing. As Gurbaz scored a brilliant century on his ODI debut, the franchise now wants the right-handed batsman to repeat the same on his IPL debut.
The 20-year-old is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents in world cricket right now and he would be one of the players to watch out for in IPL 2022. If he gets a chance in playing XI, he could be seen batting at top of the order for Gujarat Titans alongside Shubman Gill, which would be one of the youngest opening pairs in the tournament.
