IPL 2020: Ali Khan becomes the first US player to play IPL

Ali Khan is all likely to replace Harry Gurney from KKR due to his shoulder injury. Khan would be the first US player to feature in the IPL.

Little did we realize that a pandemic could accompany a line of surprises to the 13th IPL edition in 2020. In addition to the changed venue, empty stadiums, bio bubble sphere, there is another surprising news that could be in store. This IPL is most likely to see the participation of the first US player, Ali Khan, who is set to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this season. Adding to the charter of overseas players, we now have the US entering the IPL field now.

Since Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) overseas seamer Harry Gurney is scheduled to have a shoulder related surgery, KKR has a likely space for US' 29-year-old fast bowler Ali Khan and are awaiting IPL approval. Khan was in KKR’s consideration last year as well, but no fruitful deal turned out.

Khan has proven his bowling skills in CPL. He was part of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) who won the CPL title win on Thursday. The pacer hogged the limelight during the 2018 Global T20 Canada where he was in the CPL All-Star team that season. However, it is considered that it was West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who brought him to the CPL. Since then he has had remarkable success in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well.

With the bowling speed of more than 140kph, he can bowl decent in slog overs and is known for his yorkers. Taking the current scenario, he might come in as a replacement for Harry Gurney who pulled out of both the IPL and England's Vitality Blast last month. Khan's inclusion will make him the first US player to feature in the IPL.