'Just had to put myself first' - Jason Roy on his withdrawal from IPL 2024

England batter Jason Roy has revealed the reason behind his decision to skip the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Roy, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the previous edition emphasised prioritizing his well-being over cricket duties.

After Roy withdrew from the IPL 2024, KKR obtained the services of fellow England opener Phil Salt. While speaking about his decision, the 33-year-old underscored the significance of both mental and physical well-being. He also acknowledged the trust the franchise had invested in him following his memorable campaign in IPL 2023, where he accumulated 285 runs in eight games.

"Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision. I felt like I owe them a huge amount, but I just had to put myself first, just mindset and body," Roy shared on The Athlete's Voice podcast.

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In addition, Roy's recent workload, which was coupled with family responsibilities, led to his decision to opt out of the cash-rich league. He did not take part in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India but continued to actively engage in different T20 leagues. 

"I've come off the back of not a huge amount of cricket. The last couple of months have really taken it out of me. It's your decision. A lot of thought has gone into it, and it's become far easier to talk about and a far easier decision, just because you know, especially from past experiences, what that can do to you," he added.

KKR hold second place in IPL 2024 points table

Kolkata Knight Riders welcomed their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer to the squad ahead of 2024 season after he was rued out of the previous edition owing to injury. The two-time champions also made waves during the 2024 IPL mini-auction, securing the services of ace Australia speedster Mitchell Starc for a whopping INR 24.75 crore, the most expensive buy in the tournament's history.

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In addition to these developments, KKR made a solid start to their campaign, winning three matches in a row. However, their winning streak was halted by the reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings in their fourth game. Despite this setback, the formidable KKR squad is determined to bounce back as they prepare to host Lucknow Super Giants on April 13 at Eden Gardens. KKR are currently occupying the second spot in the IPL 2024 points table, with six points to their name.