KKR’s IPL 2023 Hopes in Jeopardy: Lockie Ferguson Joins Shreyas Iyer on Injury List Ahead of Season 16

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been hit with another injury blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Star pacer Lockie Ferguson is likely to miss some of the games due to a hamstring injury, which he sustained during his first-class game for Auckland. Ferguson’s news comes as a dampener to KKR, as the side is already without skipper Shreyas Iyer, who is ruled out due to a back injury.

Here are some reasons why Lockie Ferguson’s injury could be the worst possible news for KKR : IPL 2023

1. KKR is heavily banking on Ferguson to provide breakthroughs upfront as Pat Cummins and Tim Southee struggled to pick wickets in the powerplay last season.
2. The New Zealand pacer had a productive IPL 2022 season with Gujarat Titans, picking 12 wickets in 14 matches.
3. Ferguson also bowled the fastest delivery of the IPL 2022 season, clocking 157.3.
4. Not only in the powerplay, but the Kiwi speedster is effective in the death overs as well.

New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen confirmed the injury after their training session for the series opener on Thursday. He added that Ferguson had been complaining of stiffness in his back ever since playing in the Plunket Shield for Auckland two weeks ago. Jurgensen feels it’s too soon to speak on Ferguson’s participation in IPL. “I don’t think so,” he continued. “He’s tried his best with a program with me to lift his bowling loading to be in a position to play four-day cricket. That’s certainly something we’ll monitor and look after in the future. But there’s no ongoing concerns.”

If Ferguson is unavailable for the first few games, then New Zealand veteran Tim Southee is certain to feature in the XI and lead the pace attack of KKR along with Umesh Yadav. KKR will start their campaign against Punjab Kings on April 1.

KKR’s captain Shreyas Iyer is all but certain to be ruled out of the entire tournament due to a back injury. The side is also unlikely to get the services of Bangladesh cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das due to the Ireland series. The team is in deep trouble, and it remains to be seen how they will perform in the IPL 2023 season.

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