New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been announced as a replacement for Andre Russell by the Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2017. The 30-year old was added to the KKR squad ahead of the team’s opening fixture, scheduled for April 7.
All-rounder Andre Russell has been banned for one year for violating his doping whereabouts clause, and is set to stay away from cricket beyond the tenth edition of the IPL. The 28-year old last played for Sydney Thunders in the Big Bash, representing the side against Melbourne Stars in January this year.
De Grandhomme, who made his Test debut in 2016 and ODI debut in 2012, has featured in six Tests, nine ODIs and eight T20Is for the Black Caps. Born in Zimbabwe, he played his first Test against Pakistan, and got a six-wicket haul in his first innings.
Also read: Russell appeals to have one-year ban dismissed
Andre Russell’s absence was a big blow to the Kolkata team before the start of IPL 2017, for the West Indies all-rounder has been a star performer for the franchise since 2014. Before that, he was part of the Delhi Daredevils side in 2012 and 2013. In 34 matches of the IPL, Russell has scored 574 runs and picked up 31 wickets. He has also hit 37 sixes. He is one of the most sought after IPL players, winning leagues in different countries for multiple teams. He has also won the World T20 twice for the West Indies.
In a recent interview, KKR captain Gautam Gambhir had said that “There are two ways to look at such situations in life. Either we can see Russell’s absence as a challenge or look at it as an opportunity in bold letters. I as an individual, and KKR as a group, are looking it as an opportunity”.
KKR begin their campaign with the first game against Gujarat Lions at the SCA stadium in Rajkot.
With the Kiwi all-rounder’s inclusion, the final look of the KKR team is as follows:
KKR final squad for IPL 2017 – Gautam Gambhir (C), Sunil Narine, Colin De Grandhomme, Kuldeep Yadav, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Robin Uthappa (WK), Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Lynn, Umesh Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson (WK), Ankit Rajpoot, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rishi Dhawan, Darren Bravo, Rovman Powell, Sayan Ghosh, R Sanjay Yadav, Ishank Jaggi
Extra cover: All you need to know about Colin de Grandhomme
Have a look at what Colin de Grandhomme has to offer his newest team:
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