In a significant development ahead of IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya as a replacement for the injured Umran Malik. The Jammu & Kashmir speedster has been ruled out of the tournament due to an unspecified injury, dealing a blow to the defending champions.
Umran Malik was acquired by KKR for INR 75 lakh in the IPL 2024 auction, but his unfortunate injury has now paved the way for Sakariya’s return to the franchise. Interestingly, Chetan Sakariya was a part of KKR’s squad during their triumphant IPL 2024 campaign but did not feature in a single match throughout the season.
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Subsequently, he was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction in November 2024. However, destiny has given him another shot as he rejoins the squad for the same price of INR 75 lakh. For the 27-year-old, this is an invaluable opportunity to make an impact and revive his IPL career.
Chetan Sakariya was with KKR as a net bowler, and he was supposed to receive ₹2 lakh for his role. However, KKR has now picked him as a replacement, so he will now receive ₹75 lakh as he is now part of the main squad. pic.twitter.com/s4oSoCkUvg
— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) March 16, 2025
Chetan Sakariya has previously played 19 IPL matches between 2021 and 2023. His best stint came with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021, where he featured in 14 games. He later moved to Delhi Capitals but saw limited opportunities, playing just five matches and picking up six wickets across two seasons. In T20 cricket overall, he has 65 wickets in 46 games at a respectable economy of 7.69.
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As IPL 2025 kicks off on March 22 with KKR taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, Sakariya will be eager to prove his worth. Meanwhile, for Umran Malik, the past year has been disappointing. After a stellar IPL 2022, his form dipped in 2023, leading to his exclusion from the playing XI. Now, with injuries derailing his 2024 and 2025 campaigns, his road to redemption remains uncertain.
