'Full of energy' - Chetan Sakariya Thrilled to Rejoin KKR for IPL 2025

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not feature pace sensation Umran Malik. The speedster will not play for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning champions, due to an injury. The franchise previously paid INR 75 lakh to get Umran Malik.

On Monday, Sakariya formally rejoined the KKR team ahead of the upcoming season, expressing his joy at rejoining the team. He said, “I am really happy to be back. It feels like I never left the squad. I’ve come back to the team with the same atmosphere. KKR is known to be full of energy and all the players are working with the same mindset in training.”

Chetan Sakariya back in IPL 2025:

📰|| Chetan Sakariya is likely to make his KKR debut tonight against MI. pic.twitter.com/YKXWKkYA1E

— Rokte Amar KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) May 3, 2024

The 27-year-old has taken 20 wickets in 19 IPL games and played for India in one ODI and two T20Is. He is, nevertheless, regaining his full level of fitness after suffering an injury setback in February 2024. Sakariya shared some details about his preparations in anticipation of his comeback to competitive play. He said, “I am very grateful to KKR management because they believe in me. I am also in a good state of mind and have been preparing well. So, I am confident going into the season.”

He also said, “I am confident about getting plenty of opportunities this time with KKR. I am 200 per cent fit and raring to go. You will see a different Umran Malik this time. I want to perform well in the IPL and make a comeback to the Indian side. The IPL has been a massive platform for most cricketers, including me."

During the 2022 IPL season, Umran Malik established himself with SRH. On a regular basis, the speedster reached over 150 kmph. Umran also made his debut for India in the game's shortest format thanks to this performance.

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