England wicket-keeper batter Sam Billings has decided to withdraw his name from the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League. Billings, who was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in IPL 2022, has decided against returning to the league this year.
Many IPL fans would remember Billings for his exploits when he played for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018. His IPL career dwindled after he was released by CSK as Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders did not use his services much.
Speaking about his numbers for KKR in the previous season, Sam Billings played eight matches, scoring 169 runs at an average of around 25. His strike rate was less than 125, and he took six catches and executed one stumping for the team.
Informing the fans about his unavailability for IPL 2023, Sam wrote on Twitter earlier today:
“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.”
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 @kentcricket pic.twitter.com/7yeqcf9yi8
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) November 14, 2022
Kolkata Knight Riders seemingly knew about Billings’ decision because they have already signed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the trading window. Gurbaz, who joined Gujarat Titans as a replacement for Jason Roy last season, did not play any matches in IPL 2022.
The wicket-keeper batter from Afghanistan could make his IPL debut in 2023 in the Kolkata Knight Riders jersey.
Fans compare Sam Billings with Ben Stokes after his withdrawal from IPL 2023
It is not a new thing to see overseas players withdrawing from IPL just before the auctions. Players like Ben Stokes, Mitchell Starc and Sam Curran have made this decision in the past.
Billings’ tweet has received a lot of attention from the fans on Twitter, and here are some of the top Twitter reactions to the tweet by the star English player:
Good to see players choosing to prioritise red-ball cricket. Franchise cricket brings entertainment, but the long form will always be the heart and soul https://t.co/Ad7wDp0Q4r
— Mitch Bourke (@Mitchbourke) November 14, 2022
When you release yourself before the franchise releases you😆😜 https://t.co/KttTWLLbri
— Not Shashwat (@kon_shashwat) November 14, 2022
Come to csk pal https://t.co/eLbm57mWbW
— Kris (@krisstr1122) November 14, 2022
Next @benstokes38 👍🏻 https://t.co/HRCofIy0iA
— Jeff (@JeffreyGilchri3) November 14, 2022
That's why Gurbaz 😯 https://t.co/49N3u1l0Tp
— Ashish Shrivastava (@ashishayush1177) November 14, 2022
Get Klassen, KKR🙏🙏
Mil jayega saste me https://t.co/bcfFuOescH
— 😭😭😭 (@EternalBlizard_) November 14, 2022
So that's why we took gurbaz https://t.co/uj2E2VCioV
— 🦉 (@Flicks_it) November 14, 2022
Its ok. We have got Gurbaz. Thanks that you took the decision early unlike some others…
— Mrinmoy Sengupta (@mrin_sg) November 14, 2022
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Let’s make it three trophies in a row with the big one! #SuperKent
— Nick (@tallicagfc) November 14, 2022
All the best Billings ..once a #knight always a #knight 👊💜
— biswarup mazumder 🇮🇳 (@BiswarupMazumd9) November 14, 2022
