Cricket IPL 2024

'Accha player lega'- Fans react as KKR releases star all-rounder ahead of 2024 IPL auction

According to reports, with less than 24 hours till the IPL 2024 Retentions deadline, the Kolkata Knight Riders have released Shardul Thakur one season after acquiring him as the most expensive trade buy in IPL history INR 10.75 Cr.

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Sarah Andrew
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KKR release star player

KKR releases star all-rounder

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction is set to take place on December 19th in Dubai. This will be the first time that the auction will take place outside India. All the teams are gearing up with the strategies and the players they would like to release and retain ahead of the mini-auction. 

According to reports, with less than 24 hours till the IPL 2024 Retentions deadline, the Kolkata Knight Riders have released Shardul Thakur one season after acquiring him as the most expensive trade buy in IPL history INR 10.75 Cr. Thakur, who played for the Chennai Super Kings from 2018 to 2021 before moving to the Delhi Capitals for a season, had a poor season with KKR in 2023, scoring only 113 runs from 11 innings and striking only seven times with the ball.

The two-time IPL champion with CSK was unable to impress the Knights, who became the champions twice in 2012 and 2014. They failed to make it to the playoffs, as they finished in the bottom half of the 10-team points table after winning only six of 14 games. 

KKR brings back Gautam Gambhir

KKR have brought back their title-winning skipper Gautam Gambhir as a mentor and they would love to see back the success which Gambhir gave them as a captain during his 6-year stint at the franchise. The former India skipper said, "I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again. I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the city of joy. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR."

KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan welcomed back the former captain. He said, "Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our Captain coming back home in a different avatar as a "Mentor". He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR," 

Here's how fans reacted

Featured IPL Shardul Thakur