England batter Sam Billings opts out of IPL 2023 to deal with red-ball season

IPL 2023: England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings opted out of IPL subsequent 12 months, saying he would need to deal with red-ball cricket in English summer time. Billings performed for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 14, 2022 14:40 IST

England batter Sam Billings opts out of IPL 2023 (Courtesy of BCCI/PTI)

By India Today Web Desk: England batter Sam Billings confirmed on Monday that he was pulling out of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 to deal with red-ball cricket in England summer time of subsequent 12 months. Billings introduced his determination a day earlier than the deadline for participant retention for all 10 IPL franchises forward of the mini-auction in December.

Sam Billings performed for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022 after being purchased for his base value of Rs 2 crore. The England wicketkeeper-batter performed 8 matches and hit 169 runs at a mean of 24 and a strike price of little over 120.

Billings mentioned it was a tricky name to make after having returned to the IPL in 2022 following a 2 12 months’s absence.

“Have taken the tough decision that I won’t be taking part in the next IPL @KKRiders. Looking to focus on longer format cricket at the start of the English summer with Kent Cricket,” Billings mentioned in a tweet on Monday.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity @kkriders. ! Loved every minute of it. An amazing franchise with some brilliant people. Hopefully see you again in the future,” he added.

Billings’s name forward of the retention deadline works effectively for KKR, who may have a much bigger purse for the IPL public sale. The England wicketkeeper had performed for Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals too, up to now.

Quite just a few England stars are anticipated to participate in IPL 2023, contemplating the 50-over World Cup in India subsequent 12 months. Ben Stokes and Alex Hales, who missed the IPL in 2022, are prone to return whereas Jorfra Archer is predicted to make his Mumbai Indians debut in 2023.

Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders have already been lively within the buying and selling window, snapping the likes of New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson and Afghanistan wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans forward of the deadline day.

All 10 groups will submit their listing of retained and launched gamers on November 15.

Published On:

Nov 14, 2022