IPL 2023 Auction: Gujarat Titans Traded Lockie Ferguson And Rahmanullah Gurbaz To Kolkata Knight Riders

Although the IPL's next season is still still a ways off, teams have intensified their preparations in light of the approaching mini-auction next month.

In a move on Sunday, the two-time IPL winner Kolkata Knight Riders acquired IPL champion Gujarat Titans' Lockie Ferguson, a Kiwi pacer, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, an Afghan batsman.

Additionally, Gujarat Titans traded Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz to Kolkata Knight Riders. He replaced England batsman Jason Roy in the Gujarat Titans roster for the 2022 TATA IPL, but he didn't play in any of the previous season's matches.

“Kolkata Knight Riders have also traded Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans. He was included in the Gujarat Titans squad in the 2022 TATA IPL edition as a replacement for England batter Jason Roy but did not play any game last season,” the BCCI announced in a statement on Sunday.

Gujarat Titans traded fast bowler Lockie Ferguson to Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming TATA IPL 2023. In 13 games with the Gujarat Titans, he collected 12 wickets, including a 4-wicket haul. Ferguson was purchased by Gujarat Titans for Rs 10 crore during the IPL auction for 2022.

Ferguson worked as a representative for the Kolkata Knight Riders from 2017 to 2021. The right-arm quick has 12 wickets in 13 T20I matches, with a top bowling output of 4/28. He grabbed 24 wickets in 21 games while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in 2023.

“New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been traded from Gujarat Titans to Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming TATA IPL 2023. He played 13 matches for Gujarat Titans and picked 12 wickets that included a 4-wicket haul,” the BCCI announced.

Jason Behrendorff, an Australian pacer, was transferred from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, making the Kolkata-based squad the second IPL team to swap players this season.