Gujarat likely to rope in Rahmanullah Gurbaz as Jason Roy’s replacement

Last month, England’s opening batter Jason Roy pulled out of the upcoming season of the Indian T20 League. Roy cited bio-bubble fatigue as the reason for pulling out. He was signed by Gujarat at the base price of INR 2 crores in the mega auction, conducted last month.

It was believed that his decision might have been influenced by the strict bio-bubble protocols during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The PSL was played in January and February this year and the right-hander was part of the Quetta Gladiators. The league was played in Karachi and Lahore under strict bio-bubble protocols as they didn’t want the league to be postponed like last year.

Last year, numerous players were infected by the deadly disease which forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to postpone the tournament and complete it in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the 2019 World Cup winner pulling out of the cash-rich league meant that Gujarat didn’t have an opening batting to walk out with Shubman Gill. Now, according to the reports, Afghanistan’s explosive batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to replace the South Africa-born.

Talking about the league, the 15th season will commence from March 26, with last year finalists Chennai and Kolkata facing off each other. Gujarat will play their first game against Lucknow from Group A on March 28. Gujarat are slotted in Group B alongside Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Punjab. Gujarat’s first group game will be against Punjab on April 8 but after playing another inter group game against Delhi on April 2. The Ahmedabad-based franchise entered in the league after it was bought by CVC Capitals Partners for 5625 crores INR in October last year.