'Made tough decision' - Jason Roy breaks silence amid criticism for controversial IPL 2024 withdrawal

The star England National Cricket Team and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) top-order batsman Jason Roy has opened up on his decision to pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Roy once again didn’t fulfill his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as it was announced on March 10 that the English top-order batter has withdrawn from the 17th edition of the competition.

Previously, Jason Roy had pulled out of IPL 2020 when he was with Delhi Capitals (DC) and IPL 2022 when he was a part of the Gujarat Titans (GT). In 2020 he opted out due to personal reasons while in 2022 he took an “indefinite break” from the game.

This time around, he has withdrawn from IPL due to personal reasons while currently being in action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. To deal with his absence, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) turned their attention towards yet another England name as they roped in top-order batsman Phil Salt.

Salt has been sensational with the bat in the last few months and his performances helped him climb the No.2 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings. He went unsold at IPL 2024 despite a stunning season with Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2023 and KKR bought him at his reserve price of INR 1.5 crore.

Notably, fans didn’t go easy on Roy for skipping the Indian Premier League (IPL) while being currently active in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Quetta Gladiators and slammed him on social media.

I need to get back to my family – Jason Roy on pulling out of IPL 2024

In an official statement issued by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday, March 11, Jason Roy said that he was forced to make the tough decision to miss IPL to spend time with his family. Roy highlighted how has been on the road since January and said he will be supporting the Knights Riders in the Indian Premier League 2024.

“After much consideration, I have made the tough decision to miss this year’s IPL. Having been away since the start of January I need to get back to my family and have a refresh before a very busy year ahead. I will be supporting my friends and teammates at KKR throughout the tournament and wish them the best of luck,” Jason Roy said, as quoted by KKR.

You’ll be missed Jason. But we understand 💜 pic.twitter.com/wrAdafC08G

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 11, 2024

The Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will start their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign against the Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 23. The match between the teams will be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a huge addition to their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2024 as they roped in two-time IPL-winning captain Gautam Gambhir as mentor of the franchise.

Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders last won an IPL trophy under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir in 2014 by defeating the Punjab-based franchise in the final and they will be looking forward to ending their title drought when they enter the Indian Premier League 2024 under the leadership of Iyer, mentorship of Gambhir and coaching of Chandrakant Pandit.