Bhai ye kya ho raha hai’ - Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur in a race to replace Shreyas Iyer as skipper of Kolkata for Indian T20 League 2023

Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur (Source - Twitter)

The Kolkata franchise have been suffering a major blow as their skipper Shreyas Iyer is likely to be ruled out of the upcoming season of the Indian T20 League. The Indian batter complained of a back injury during the fourth Test against Australia and didn’t come to bat for India in the second innings. He was then also ruled out of the ODI series against the Aussies.

Now, the big question for the Kolkata franchise is who will replace Iyer to lead the side in the upcoming season of the Indian T20 League? According to the reports by Times of India, Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur are in the race to lead Kolkata in the upcoming tournament.

"Within a day or two, Kolkata are set to make the announcement of their new captain in a grand function with their owner, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and an overseas pop star set to light up the occasion," a source close to the developments told TOI.

Shardul Thakur will be playing his first season for the Kolkata franchise

Sunil Narine could be a first choice to lead the side looking at the experience he has playing for the Kolkata franchise. He is the leading wicket for Kolkata with 122 wickets and played a crucial role in the franchise lifting the trophy in 2012 and 2014. He was also the skipper of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. However, under his captaincy, the franchise finished the season by standing last in the points table with only three points.

Meanwhile, Shradul Thakur was traded from Delhi to Kolkata for a price of Rs 10.75 crore in place of Mumbai bowling all-rounder Aman Khan. This will be his first season for Kolkata and it could be a brave choice if the franchise appoints him as the skipper on his very first outing.

The 16th edition of the Indian T20 League will kickstart on March 31st with a match between Gujarat and Chennai at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While Kolkata will begin their 2023 campaign on April 1st with a match against the Punjab franchise in Mohali.

don't be surprised if lord thakur leads KKR to the finals !! 🏆🔥🔥 #lord #shardulthakur #IPL2023 #Captainlord pic.twitter.com/iRb1mg4sbe

— Virat kohliiii (@harshit53706385) March 27, 2023

Ipl ain't ready to see new and powerful kkr under lord's captaincy 🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/SEjzgVp2kI

— OTIS MISHRA 🚩👽 (@Lame_guy69) March 27, 2023

Shardul? pic.twitter.com/Aj1zgV9DyI

— Cringevesh (@Clerklybranch7) March 27, 2023

Narine capt'ct pic.twitter.com/zEILEQIcst

— వింత వైఖరి 🌶️ (@innocentabbyi) March 27, 2023

Thakur 🥵 pic.twitter.com/Rof8JPlRO8

— Chillax (@itz_chillax) March 27, 2023

Sunil narine captain of kkr 90./. Conform news my side pic.twitter.com/LSBy1luvJ3

— Akash Bakshi (@AkashBa21540797) March 27, 2023

Lord works in mysterious way. pic.twitter.com/glSoqBHCaM

— Ayush Vashistha (@ayushtweets2) March 27, 2023

Lord Shardul be like😅 pic.twitter.com/UhXoxFqKhc

— Dilshad Ahmed (@im_dilshad95) March 27, 2023

Shardul Thakur 😭😭? pic.twitter.com/V9XHSwgQWx

— A. (@rcb_itcell) March 27, 2023