Umesh Yadav to miss opening games for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2017

Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the opening games for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2017 after the pace bowler complained of lower back stiffness following the end of the Australia series.

Speaking to reporters at Eden Gardens late on Friday evening, Kolkata Knight Riders’ CEO Venky Mysore said, “The good news is that we, hopefully, have all our bases covered,” he said.

A number of international players and coach Jacques Kallis are in transit and expected to reach Kolkata in the next three days, said Mysore. Sunil Narine will possibly join the team in Mumbai before it proceeds to Rajkot for KKR’s tournament opener, away to Gujarat Lions on April 7. The team travels on April 4.

And although Shakib Al Hasan is playing international cricket till April 6, Mysore said he could reach Rajkot in time for the opener.

Merchandise boost

After nine editions of the IPL, KKR would go big on merchandise this time around, said Mysore. They have tied up with an apparel partner and also an online store for sales. The online platform will facilitate availability of merchandise all-year round but it is also possible that they would be available at brick-and-mortar stores after the IPL, said Mysore.

Practice shirts

KKR’s practice shirts this time are a blend of red and black, which, Mysore said, is the official colour of their team in the Caribbean Premier League, the Trinbago Knight Riders. Their CPL team will wear practice kits in KKR’s purple and gold colours, said Mysore. “It’s a way of integrating two teams,” he said.