Rahmanullah Gurbaz, KKR’s young Afghan wicketkeeper-batter had a mixed bag of a season in IPL 2023. In the recent turn of events, IPL 2023’s winning skipper, MS Dhoni has sent him a special gift for the young batter. Gurbaz recently posted photos on Instagram of himself with a signed number 7 CSK jersey that was apparently sent to him by MS Dhoni himself as revealed by the young player’s caption.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Kolkata Knight Riders set a record for the highest IPL (Indian Premier League) score by an Afghan player with a 39-ball 81 against Gujarat Titans on Saturday at the Eden Gardens. Gurbaz, who opened the innings for KKR in place of Jason Roy, was harsh in his approach against the bowlers for the Titans as he surpassed the mark of 57 that he had previously established against RCB earlier in the season.
KKR traded Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2023
In the second over, the right-handed hitter got things started by hitting opposing skipper Hardik Pandya for a pair of sixes. The 21-year-old had success competing against Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, two of his compatriots. Eventually, Gurbaz was caught by Rashid at deep mid-wicket after mistiming a low full-toss from Ahmad. Gurbaz, who was moved from the Titans to KKR before the current season, crushed a helpless Titans bowling unit with five fours and seven sixes.
Talking of MS Dhoni, he ended the season winning the record-equalling fifth title for Chennai Super Kings. There was a lot of speculation over MS Dhoni’s IPL 2023 season being his last. However, the 41-year-old spoke otherwise in the post-match presentation after winning the final of IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans.
“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see this is the best time for me to announce retirement. But the amount of love and affection that I have been shown, wherever I have been this year...I think the easy thing for me to say would be to say 'Thank you very much', but the tough thing for me would be to work hard for nine months and come back and play at least one more season of IPL. But a lot depends on the body. It would take 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side. It's not easy for me but the way they have shown their love and affection, that's something that I need to do," he said at the post-match presentation.
Here's how fans reacted:
Need to arrest him and do investigate if he is involve in match fixing
— Ackerman (@NowCaptainRohit) June 20, 2023
Kis bat ka nice ye to dhoni ka daily routine hai...🫢
— gautam katariya (@gautamk34337267) June 20, 2023
Ugly signature
— Em! (@Insane__Emi) June 20, 2023
If you an Afgan player.
— Santosh (@SmpPhukan) June 20, 2023
Be like Gurbaaz , not Naveen.
Use it for cleaning shit
— Hitman zindabad (@KrrishK43904676) June 20, 2023
Aur ek ne yellow mango 🥭 liye ....
— Zahid Mushtaq (@ZM98S) June 20, 2023
Next year Gurbaz Trade With Conway hopefully 🤞🤞.
— Rahul (@iam_Rahhul) June 20, 2023
I blame vadapav
— Vaibhav™ 2.O (@spear_2016) June 20, 2023