Kolkata Knight Riders rope in Gurkeerat Singh Mann as Rinku Singh's replacement
The Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Indian all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann ahead of IPL 2021. Mann will replace Rinku Singh in KKR’s squad. According to a media release by IPL, Rinku was ruled out of the upcoming IPL season due to a knee injury.
“Kolkata Knight Riders have signed up Gurkeerat Singh Mann as replacement for batsman Rinku Singh, who will be unavailable for the entire season due to a knee injury,” the release stated.
Rinku Singh had been a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the previous IPL season. However, he got only one match, where he aggregated 11 runs for the team. Singh batted in the middle order. Hence, the Knight Riders have roped in another middle-order batsman to replace Rinku in the team.
Gurkeerat Singh Mann started his IPL career with the Punjab Kings in 2012. He impressed the fans by scoring 86 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 165.38. However, his performances dipped in the next four seasons. As a result, the Mohali-based franchise released him ahead of the IPL Auction 2018.
The Delhi Capitals signed Gurkeerat Singh for 75 lakhs in 2018, but they did not include him in their playing XI even once. Next year, the Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Gurkeerat for 50 lakh. He played a match-winning knock of 65 runs for RCB in a game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Gurkeerat Singh’s performance was not up to the mark in IPL 2020
🚨 ATTENTION 🚨
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 4, 2021
We have a brand new Knight in our midst 🙌🏽
Let's give a warm Toofani Welcome to @gurkeeratmann22 🤩#KKRHaiTaiyaar #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/5J0tyyGhhK
Gurkeerat Singh received another contract from the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020. However, he could not meet the expectations. The Royal Challengers included him in their playing XI for eight matches, where he scored 71 runs at a strike rate of 88.75.
Singh’s highest score was 21*. This performance led to his release from the RCB squad. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021.