Umran Malik, the Indian fast bowler, is out of IPL 2025 because of an injury he sustained last Sunday (March 16). The Kolkata Knight Riders, who won last year, had signed the 25-year-old from Jammu for Rs 75 lakh at the big IPL 2025 auction.
IPL put out that KKR has signed Chetan Sakariya, a pacer from Saurashtra, to take his place.
The statement mentioned that KKR chose Chetan Sakariya to replace Umran Malik for the upcoming TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 since Umran Malik is injured and can’t play this season. Sakariya has played for India in one ODI and a couple of T20Is. He’s also played 19 IPL games and grabbed 20 wickets. Sakariya, a left-arm medium pacer, is joining KKR for INR 75 lakh.
Umran started his IPL career in 2021 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He’s played 26 matches in the IPL so far and taken 29 wickets. He got 22 batters out in 14 matches in IPL 2022 but couldn’t keep up that performance in the following seasons.
He only played once for SRH in IPL 2024 and was let go before the IPL 2025 mega auction. Umran’s last game was on March 27, 2024.
Sakariya, who has also played one ODI and two T20Is for India, was with KKR in IPL 2024 but didn’t get to play. The 27-year-old from Bhavnagar has 20 wickets from 19 IPL matches, playing for Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will go up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first match of IPL 2025 on Saturday, March 22. The match is at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR will be led by Ajinkya Rahane, and Rajat Patidar will lead RCB.
