TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed some significant squad changes, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) making key replacements to bolster their respective lineups. Allah Ghazanfar and Keshav Maharaj added a new dimension to the teams, sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Allah Ghazanfar Joins Kolkata Knight Riders

To strengthen their spin department, Kolkata Knight Riders have named Allah Ghazanfar the replacement for the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The 16-year-old offspinner from Afghanistan brings youthful energy and potential to the KKR squad, marking a significant addition to their roster.

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With appearances in 2 ODIs and a handful of T20s and List A matches, Ghazanfar has showcased his talent and potential to become a future star. His inclusion in the KKR squad adds depth to their spin bowling options and provides them with a promising talent for the future. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 Lac.

Reason for Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Replacement

The decision to replace Mujeeb Ur Rahman was necessitated by his injury, which left a void in the KKR lineup. Rahman’s absence is a blow to the team, but the addition of Ghazanfar provides them with a fresh perspective and new opportunities in the tournament.

Keshav Maharaj’s Inclusion in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals have bolstered their bowling attack by adding South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj to their squad instead of Prasidh Krishna. Maharaj brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the team, enhancing their options in both bowling and batting departments.

Keshav Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, boasts an impressive record across all formats. South African cricketer, has played 27 T20Is, 44 ODIs and 50 Tests and has scalped 237 wickets in international cricket. Additionally, he has played 159 T20s, picking up 130 wickets and can chip in with some handy runs. RR have brought him on board for his base price of INR 50 Lac. His presence will support the team’s existing spin options and strengthen their bowling lineup.

Reason for Prasidh Krishna’s Replacement

Prasidh Krishna’s absence due to injury prompted Rajasthan Royals to seek a replacement to maintain the balance of their squad. While Krishna’s absence will be felt, Maharaj’s inclusion offers the team added depth and flexibility in their bowling strategy.

Rajasthan Royals faced a setback with the withdrawal of star Australian spinner Adam Zampa due to personal reasons. Zampa’s absence leaves a void in the team’s spin department, but with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, they need more resources to fill the gap.

Role of Keshav Maharaj in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will likely utilize Keshav Maharaj as a backup spin option alongside their primary spinners. With his experience and skill set, Maharaj adds depth to the team’s bowling lineup and provides valuable support in crucial situations.

Rajasthan Royals updated squad: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, Navdeep Saini, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Trent Boult, Donovan Ferreira, Kuldeep Sen, Kunal Rathore, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj.

Kolkata Knight Riders updated squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat (wk), Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain, Allah Ghazanfar. 

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on February 9, 2024. Mujeeb sustained a right hand injury during a training session in Kandy, leading to his absence from the 50-over matches against Sri Lanka. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced this development via a tweet on ‘X’, stating, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday, which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj!”

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been absent from ODI matches since November 2023 but featured in the T20I series against India in January 2024. He garnered attention for his dispute with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, where he advocated for exclusion from the central contract list for 2024, expressing a preference for participating in T20 leagues over national team commitments.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, along with Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, faced a two-year ban from participating in foreign leagues imposed by the ACB. However, they later expressed their desire to represent the national team, leading to the lifting of their bans by the cricket board.

Setback for Afghanistan: Mujeeb Ur Rahman Ruled out for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling skills, boasting a wide array of variations that stifle batsmen and enable him to pick up wickets consistently. With the ability to make an impact with the new ball or during any phase of the innings, Mujeeb’s deceptive googly adds further potency to his bowling arsenal.

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In the absence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan’s spin attack faces a challenge with relatively inexperienced options such as Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi. Consequently, the team may rely more on its pacers to make breakthroughs rather than the spinners.

Afghanistan, buoyed by their victory over Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, aims to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming series. Led by Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka boasts a youthful squad featuring emerging talents like Janith Liyanage and Shevon Daniel, bolstered by match-winning spinners such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhananjaya, and Maheesh Theekshana.

The inclusion of promising spinner Dunith Wellalage, who impressed during the 2023 ODI World Cup, further strengthens Sri Lanka’s spin department. The entirety of the SL vs AFG ODI series will unfold at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. The opening match is scheduled for February 9, with the series wrapping up on February 14.