Shreyas Iyer’s injury replacement, Jason Roy, has joined Kolkata Knight Riders for the remainder of the Indian Premier League season.
The pre-season auction price for the England starter was INR 1.5 crore (£147,000), but he has now agreed to a contract worth about INR 2.8 crore (£275,000).
Roy’s comeback to the IPL coincides with a slight player crisis for KKR, who have lost Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and India’s Iyer to injuries to their backs.
English players normally aren’t permitted to sign contracts after the first of March, but those with ECB contracts are an exception, permitting his transfer.
The Surrey batter last played in 2021, scoring 150 runs in five games for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and will hope to maintain his strong white-ball start to 2023.
With 245 runs in seven games for Quetta Gladiators during the Pakistan Super League, Roy also posted the tournament’s highest individual tally, with 145 not out.
We can't be more excited to share this news with you, fam! 🤩
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 5, 2023
𝘚𝘸𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘮, @JasonRoy20! 💜#AmiKKR #TATAIPL2023 pic.twitter.com/Ta0yrBsyyk
A member of the England team that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he was dropped from their 2022 T20 World Cup-winning squad.
Ahead of his side’s 50-over defence in India later this year, the 32-year-old will be hopeful he can use his time with KKR to consolidate his spot in the squad.
Roy’s return to the IPL may come too soon to feature in his new team’s next match, which is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday.
However, he could be included for their trip to face defending champions Gujarat Titans on Sunday, as KKR look to bounce back from an opening loss against Punjab Kings.