IPL 2023: KKR acquire Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz from GT through trade

IPL 2023: KKR acquire Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz from GT through trade

Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Kolkata Knight Riders have acquired New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson and Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz from IPL 2022 champions Gujarat Titans through trading ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, which is to take place on December 23 in Kochi.

Ferguson was purchased by GT for INR 10 crore (five times his base price), and he played a key role for his side in lifting the cup in their maiden appearance. He picked up 12 wickets in 13 games at an economy of 8.95, while his best spell read 4/27. He was the fastest bowler in the 15th edition when he clocked 157.3 kph to Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler in the final.

Also, he will return to his old franchise KKR. In the 2021 season, his 13 wickets in eight matches helped his side reach the final. Ferguson will strengthen KKR’s pace department in IPL 2023 when he’ll join Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee, and India’s Umesh Yadav and Shivam Mavi.

“Both players leave behind unforgettable memories,” Vikran Solanki, Titans’ team director, said. “Lockie’s four-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals is a performance we will always remember. While Gurbaz did not play a game, his promise and talent was evident right through.”

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s will give KKR more wicketkeeping options

KKR
Rahmanullah Gurbaz

The two-time IPL champions finished seventh on the points table with six wins and eight losses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s inclusion will give KKR more wicketkeeping options, as they had struggled in this department in IPL 2022. Gurbaz went unsold in 2022 before GT signed him as a replacement for England’s Jason Roy, who opted out of IPL 2022 due to bio-bubble fatigue.

However, Gurbaz was a benchwarmer throughout the season and Titans preferred Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and Wriddhiman Saha. Gurbaz has played in PSL, BPL, LPL, CPL, and Abu Dhabi T10 League as well.

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