IPL 2025: Umran Malik Rejoins KKR for Rehabilitation and Cricket Return
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Synopsis
Umran Malik, the fast bowler who missed IPL 2025 with injuries, has officially rejoined Kolkata Knight Riders for a rehabilitation program aimed at his return to competitive cricket this season. KKR seeks improvement in the league standings as they fight for playoff qualification.
Key Takeaways
- Umran Malik returns to KKR for rehab.
- He was sidelined due to a hip injury.
- Malik will not participate as a player this season.
- KKR is struggling in the points table.
- Malik previously impressed in IPL 2021.
New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) Umran Malik, the fast bowler who was sidelined from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, has rejoined the team for a rehabilitation and cricket return program, which will be in effect for the rest of the season.
In preparation for IPL 2025, KKR recruited left-arm bowler Chetan Sakariya as Malik’s replacement, as he was reported to be recovering from a hip injury after undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
However, before KKR's upcoming match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, Malik was spotted participating in a practice session with the defending champions, raising questions about his official return to the team for IPL 2025.
“Umran Malik has rejoined the squad in Kolkata to further his rehabilitation and cricket return program with KKR for the remainder of the season. He’s not being added as an official player in the squad at this time, but will collaborate with the team and support staff to regain his top form,” the franchise stated on Friday.
Malik's last appearance in competitive cricket was during IPL 2024, as he has been plagued by injuries and health issues since then. He was scheduled to participate in the Duleep Trophy at the beginning of the 2024/25 domestic season but had to withdraw due to dengue, followed by a hip injury.
Making headlines in IPL 2021 by clocking 150kph on debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Malik has appeared in eight T20Is for India, claiming 11 wickets with an economy rate of 10.48. He has also played in 10 ODIs for India, taking 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.54.
Currently, KKR, the defending champions led by Ajinkya Rahane, stand seventh in the points table with only three victories out of eight matches and require wins in their remaining league matches to maintain a chance of qualifying for the IPL 2025 playoffs.
