Rahmanullah Gurbaz‘s first game of IPL 2025 ended in disappointment in the KKR vs GT clash on Monday. The Afghanistan keeper was brought in place for Quinton de Kock as Ajinkya Rahane aimed to fix KKR’s batting blues. However, the move did not pay dividends as Gurbaz had a very short stay at the crease.
Gurbaz’s IPL 2025 starts off on a sour note
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s first IPL 2025 ended in the very first over as Mohammed Siraj sent the Afghanistan keeper packing. With KKR struggling for runs at the top, captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bring the 23-year-old into the playing XI. While the defending champions hoped for a quick fix, it was not the case at Eden Gardens.
Even during his 4 ball stay, Gurbaz looked hurried for pace and uncomfortable, eventually being trapped in front of his stumps. It continued KKR’s struggles at the top, with the three-time champions yet to have a 50+ opening partnership. It pales in comparison to their opponents Gujarat Titans, who have 4 50+ partnerships for the 1st wicket.
Quinton de Kock was dropped after his poor start to the season. While the left-hander scored a match-winning 97 not out, his scores in the other 6 games tallied only 46 runs.
Gurbaz, for that matter, hasn’t lit up the IPL alight in his short career so far. This is the Afghanistan keeper’s 3rd season in the tournament, with the KKR vs GT game being only his 11th game. The 23-year-old averages 20.71, striking at 131.82. Last season, he played 3 games before being replaced by Phil Salt, who stitched a daunting opening combination with Sunil Narine. The duo scored at a run rate of over 12, striking more than 550 runs in 12 innings.
KKR’s opening partnerships
| Salt & Narine in 2024 | Narine & De Kock/Gurbaz in 2025 | |
| 12 | Inns | 8 |
| 559 | Runs | 152 |
| 46.58 | Average | 19 |
| 12.46 | RR | 8.44 |
| 138 | HS | 46 |
Editor's Pick
Cricket
England players from CSK, RCB & GT to exit IPL 2025 after group stage
Top Stories
