Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has said that Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins won't be part of KKR's squad in the remaining part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He shared this information with the Times of India.
As the England coach Ashley Giles has already said, the English players might miss the UAE leg of the IPL due to a packed schedule. Thus, KKR captain Eoin Morgan might also be missing from the IPL 2021, thus, there are chances that Dinesh Karthik might lead the KKR side.
While speaking to TOI, Karthik said: “Cummins has said he is not coming but there’s still three months and Morgan may still be available. But if I am asked to lead, I don’t have a problem.”
Kolkata Knight Riders had a terrible start to the IPL this year. They only won 2 out of the seven matches they played. To qualify for the playoffs, KKR will have to win six out of the remaining seven matches.
Pat Cummins' absence will be crucial for KKR as he also displayed a good batting performance.
The remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 will be held in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai from September 17, right after the end of the England vs India 5-match Test series.
There are 31 remaining matches in the IPL 2021. It will be the first time that the IPL will be held in UAE for two consecutive years. A report by Inside Sport confirms that the foreign players that will miss the tournament have to face a cut in their salaries on a pro-rata basis. Just to give a perspective, if we take the example of Ben Stokes who earns 12.5 crores (excluding taxes), will be eligible for the pay of 6.25 crore rupees.