Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have announced the signing of Karnataka batter Karun Nair as replacement of their captain KL Rahul, who was on Friday (May 5) ruled out of remainder of the IPL 2023 with a thigh injury that requires surgery. Rahul will also miss the World Test Championship final for India against Australia at The Oval in June.
Rahul injured himself during LSG's clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 1, and missed their most recent match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Wednesday, with Krunal Pandya appointed as stand-in captain.
READ ALSO: KL Rahul to undergo surgery; ruled out of remainder of IPL 2023, WTC Final
His replacement, Karun Nair, has played previously in the league for Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
31-year-old Nair has scored 1496 runs in 76 IPL matches at a strike-rate of 127.75 and highest score of 83, with 10 half-centuries. He famously became the second Indian batter after Virender Sehwag to score a triple hundred in Test cricket, when he scored 303* against England in Chennai.
LSG confirmed the development by sharing Nair's tweet, which he had posted on December 10, asking cricket to give him another chance as he was dropped by Karnataka from their Ranji Trophy squad due to his poor form. He did not feature in any domestic games in the 2022/23 season.
“Really happy to be joining the Super Giants. I wish KL a speedy recovery and hope he comes back stronger. Look forward to meeting my teammates very soon and contributing to the team,” Karun Nair said in a statement released by LSG.
