Unsold In IPL 2025 Auction, Chetan Sakariya Joins KKR

Bhargav Dixit

Chetan Sakariya was part of KKR last season. [Source: @KKR_Xtra/X]Chetan Sakariya was part of KKR last season. [Source: @KKR_Xtra/X]

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13 months after last playing a representative match, pacer Chetan Sakariya has joined Kolkata Knight Riders. As far as playing a match is concerned, Sakariya will have to wait for longer as he’s been roped in as a net bowler for now.

Having played three limited-overs matches for India to go with 19 Indian Premier League matches for Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals across three seasons, remaining unsold during IPL 2025 auction was a certain demotion for Sakariya.

Wrist Injury Sidelined Chetan Sakariya

As a left-arm pacer, Sakariya was fast-tracked to the national squad after his inaugural IPL season. Been part of Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy-winning squad before his IPL debut, a dip in form resulted in him playing just five matches for DC across a couple of seasons.

However, a major wrist injury sidelined him from all forms of cricket. As per Rev Sportz, Sakariya consulted the NCA-recommended Dr. Sudhir Warrier to treat the same. Having regained optimum fitness now, Sakariya was spotted by KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun while bowling in a T20 tournament in Mumbai.

Chetan Sakariya Returns To KKR

It is to be noted that this is the second time Knight Riders have signed the 27-year-old bowler. Bought by the franchise for INR 50 lakh during IPL 2024 auction, Sakariya hadn’t played a match for them last season.

Sakariya, whose IPL earnings range around INR 10 crore till date, wouldn’t benefit financially from the INR 2 lakh he would receive as a net bowler. However, getting to practice among top-quality players and under a reputed support staff (including Arun, mentor Dwayne Bravo, head coach Chandrakant Pandit and assistant coach Ottis Gibson) has it in it to benefit him immensely skill-wise.

Ideally, Sakariya should look to emulate veteran India pacer Mohit Sharma’s journey at Gujarat Titans. Having played just two matches across four IPL seasons in addition to missing from the domestic circuit, Sharma had joined GT as a net bowler during IPL 2022 only to become a regular death overs specialist for them for the next two seasons.