Kolkata had a disappointing start to the Indian T20 League 2023 as they lost against the Punjab franchise by seven runs in the DLS method. So, the team are looking to bounce back in the second game. However, they did not get all of their players like Shakib Al Hasan and Littin Das at their service as they were busy playing the T20I series between Bangladesh and Ireland in Bangladesh.
Shakib Al Hasan also led the team in that series and Bangladesh defeated Ireland by a 2-1 margin. Kolkata suffered a major blow when Shreyas Iyer got ruled out of the competition due to injury. Hence, reports were there that the star Bangladesh all-rounder can become the skipper of the franchise. But, they showed faith in Nitish Rana and announced him as the interim skipper.
"Shakib Al Hasan is a capable batter. He has got some good international numbers.” - Tom Moody
But, now reports have come out that Shakib Al Hasan might opt out of the whole tournament due to availability issues. Bangladesh will play a one-match Test series against Ireland at home, starting from 4-8 April. Both Shakib and Litton have been named in the squad for the series. However, both of them had already reportedly requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board a discharge from their national duties after the conclusion of the T20I series.
But, while talking to AFP, the chief selector Minhajul Abedin said: “We have been told by the board they are both available for the Test match. That’s why they have been included in the squad”. Before the season opener against Punjab, the former Australia batter Tom Moody said that Kolkata could finally put some responsibility on Shakib this year. While speaking to the ESPNcricinfo, Mody said: "Shakib Al Hasan is a capable batter. He has got some good international numbers. Why not finally put the onus on Shakib to be the overseas player that the team relies on a lot? He has always been a fringe overseas player on the odd occasion when he has played. Back him at No. 4. He has got all the gears.
Here is how fans have reacted to the reports of Shaking opting out of the ITL 2023:
— SoúϻℽΛ🇮🇳 (@RyzenNoob) April 3, 2023
Due to not getting Captaincy?
— LSG Brigade (@TheCricketKid2) April 3, 2023
kkr is anyways not qualifying 💀
— Atish (@atishj7) April 3, 2023
Vo tha kya ipl me
— ©️®️I©️KET 🏏 Ⓜ️🅰️N 5️⃣ (@i_am_juari) April 3, 2023
Never going to get pick in auction from now
— ForeverChrisGayle (@cric_bazz) April 3, 2023
Huge loss for KKR benching seat
— Chaos Dark22 (@ChaosDark257620) April 3, 2023
BCCI to Shakib. pic.twitter.com/xqTqxJqNGn
— Farhan Khan (@BabarAzam0056) April 3, 2023
Poor captaincy by srk 😭😭😭
— Brucew tweets (SRH) 🧡🔶🔸. (@brucew_tweets) April 3, 2023
Chak de KKR suna do bhai 😭
— KT (@meownces) April 3, 2023