"They needed me here" - Rahmanullah Gurbaz Explains Hard Call Of Leaving Ailing Mother For KKR Family

Rahmanullah Gurbaz left the Kolkata Knight Riders camp midway through the IPL 2024 season to attend to his ailing mother in Afghanistan. The opener revealed that he received a call from the KKR management for an update on his availability. Even though it was a tough decision to make, he didn't think twice before returning to his "other family". Phil Salt had to leave the camp for international duty, leaving KKR in need of an opener. Gurbaz mentioned that his mother is still sick, and he talks to her every day. He added that it is tough for him to manage, but he wanted to be present for his team, especially when they qualified for the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz explains the hard call of leaving ailing Mother for the KKR Family

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was not the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for KKR this IPL 2024 season. Salt was preferred ahead of him, and the Englishman performed exceptionally well during his time with the franchise, which meant that Gurbaz did not get any game time. The young player mentioned that he understands that only four foreign cricketers can play simultaneously and added that those who don't get a chance should still prepare well and be ready. Gurbaz left the Kolkata Knight Riders camp midway through the IPL 2024 season to attend to his ailing mother in Afghanistan.

"My mom is still sick. I went there (back home in Afghanistan). I got a call from KKR once Phil Salt was leaving. They called me and messaged me, saying, 'Gurbaz, we need you; what is your situation?'. I said I'll come. My mother is still recovering in the hospital. I speak to her every day. But I knew my KKR was also my family. They needed me here. So I came back from Afghanistan. It's hard, it's tough, but I have to manage," Rahmanullah Gurbaz said in the post-match press conference.

The opener revealed that he received a call from the KKR management for an update on his availability. Even though it was a tough decision to make, he didn't think twice before returning to his "other family". Phil Salt had to leave the camp for international duty, leaving KKR in need of an opener. Rahmanullah Gurbaz mentioned that his mother is still sick, and he talks to her every day. He added that it is tough for him to manage, but he wanted to be present for his team, especially when they qualified for the IPL playoffs.

"I should clarify this. As a cricketer, you know what to do. In League Cricket, only four overseas players can play in the XI. If you have an opportunity, you should try and do well. If you do not have an opportunity, you should prepare well and be ready. Whenever you get a chance, you have to be ready," Gurbaz added.

The Men in Purple and Gold successfully chased down a target of 160 runs with over six overs to spare after restricting SRH to a modest 159 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This thrilling win has set the stage for KKR in the summit clash in Chennai on Sunday, May 26, where Shreyas Iyer and his team will battle for the IPL title. The two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders will face either Sunrisers Hyderabad again or the winner of the eliminator between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024 Final, which will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 26.