The Indian Premier League is entering its final stretch, and every game now holds significant weight in the playoff race. The recent washout of the RCB vs KKR match sealed the fate of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, dashing their playoff hopes. However, KKR has quickly bounced back by signing Shivam Shukla.
Shivam, 29, is set to replace West Indies player Romario Shepherd, who left India citing medical reasons after the IPL was briefly halted on May 8. Shepherd chose not to return despite the tournament resuming on May 17. KKR announced Shukla’s inclusion on Sunday.
Shivam Shukla: A Promising Profile
Shivam has played eight T20 matches, delivering 180 balls, conceding 189 runs, and taking eight wickets. His best performance was four wickets for 29 runs, showcasing an economy rate of 6.30 – a respectable figure in this format.
In the inaugural season of the Madhya Pradesh T20 League, Shivam impressed with his bowling, claiming 10 wickets and winning the Purple Cap. He even bagged a five-wicket haul in one match. During the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took eight wickets in eight matches for Madhya Pradesh, including four against Saurashtra.
Earlier this season, Shivam was selected as a net bowler by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Now, he’s part of the KKR squad and is likely to feature against Hyderabad on May 25.
KKR’s Playoff Hopes Extinguished
KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, has played 13 matches and has one game left against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25. They became the fourth team to exit the playoff race, following Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.