IPL 2023: The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League has not been a great outing for the Kolkata Knight Riders so far. As they are sitting in the bottom half of the points table. Furthermore, the franchise is currently struggling with the form of its senior players and injuries as well. Adding to that, Litton Das has also been ruled out of the competition.
On Thursday, the franchise confirmed that the Bangladeshi star would not feature in the remaining games due to a family emergency. Notably, Das went back to Bangladesh in the last week of April. Thus, the franchise has now named hard-hitting West Indian opener Johnson Charles as his replacement.
IPL 2023: Kolkata Signed Johnson Charles to replace Litton Das for the remaining games
Das played only one game for Kolkata this season. In his debut game against the Delhi Capitals, he only scored four runs and also missed two stumpings. Charles was a member of the West Indies team that won the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cups under the leadership of Darren Sammy. He has been part of various franchise leagues around the world.
So far, Charles has played 41 T20Is for the West Indies and scored 971 runs at an average of 24.21 and a strike rate of 130.86. He also has one century and four half-centuries to his name. He will soon join the KKR camp.
On Thursday, the franchise confirmed, “Litton has had to return to Bangladesh earlier today (Friday 28 April) due to an urgent family medical emergency. Our wishes go out to him and his family to make it through this difficult time.”
Kolkata is currently placed in the 8th spot with three wins and six losses. They will lock horns with the 2016 IPL champion Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. It will be a must-win game for Kolkata , as they can’t afford another loss.
When Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL?
Kolkata won the 2012 and 2014 IPL seasons under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir.