IPL 2023: IPL 2023 Retention: Sam Billings IPL 2023 – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received a big blow as wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has opted out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. The English player says he wants to focus on playing a longer format cricket for Kent and England. Billings shared a heartfelt Instagram post wherein he thanked KKR for all the memories. The wicketkeeper-batter also said he hopes to play for the team soon. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
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IPL 2023: Big blow for Kolkata Knight Riders as Sam Billings opts out of IPL 2023, says will focus on Red-ball cricket: Check Out
IPL 2023: Sam Billings not to play for KKR, Shreyas Iyer-led team in search of wicketkeeper-batter in IPL mini auction
With Billings not playing IPL 2023, KKR have lost a genuine power-hitter and a wicketkeeper-batter. Apart from Billings, Sheldon Jackson is the only other designated wicketkeeper in the squad. KKR have retained Jackson, and also traded Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans. But they would like to add one more player to that list when the IPL mini-auction takes place on December 23 in Kochi.
While Billings could not do much impact with the bat in hand, he scored his runs at a strike rate of 124. Jackson was not given enough chances with the gloves in hand. With Billings no more part of IPL 2023, Jackson is KKR’s first-choice wicketkeeper. KKR have retained nine players from IPL 2022 season.
Top Retained Players: Shreyas Iyer, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Pat Cummins, Nitish Rana, Sheldon Jackson, Rinku Singh, Umesh Yadav
Possible Released Players: Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Aaron Finch
IPL 2023: Who will KKR likely target in place of Sam Billings?
· A wicketkeeper-batter, who is as dynamic as Billings is what KKR would likely target.
· KKR will keep a tab on quite a few Indian players who impressed in SMAT 2022.
· The likes of Ankush Bains & Harvik Desai can potentially go for big bucks in the IPL mini-auction.
· Few foreign wicketkeepers’ batters like Josh Philippe, Kusal Mendis, & Matthew Wade could also fetch big amounts.
IPL 2023: Big blow for Kolkata Knight Riders as Sam Billings opts out of IPL 2023, says will focus on Red-ball cricket: Check Out
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