‘They needed me’ - Rahmanullah Gurbaz explains 'hard' call of leaving ailing mother for ‘other family’ KKR

Rahmanullah Gurbaz left the Kolkata Knight Riders camp midway through IPL 2024 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 and even though it was a tough decision to make, he didn’t think twice before returning to his "other family". 

Notably, Phil Salt had to leave the camp for international duty and KKR were in dire need of an opener. Gurbaz revealed that his mother is still sick and he talks to her everyday. 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 playoffs.

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“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,” Gurbaz said in the post-match press conference. “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,".

Whenever you get a chance, you have to be ready: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Gurbaz was not the first-choice keeper-batter for KKR this season. Salt was preferred ahead of him and the Englishman was terrific throughout his time in the franchise, which made sure that Gurbaz did not get game time. The youngster stated that he understands only four foreign cricketers can field at the same time and added that the players who don’t get a chance should still prepare well and be ready.

“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,” the 22-year-old said.