Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened up about the challenging personal dilemma when he had to leave his ailing mother in the hospital to rejoin the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the IPL 2024 Playoffs after his team qualified for the final on Tuesday, May 21.
KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. It was Gurbaz’s first appearance in the ongoing IPL 2024, but the Afghan star didn’t let KKR feel the absence of the attacking Englishman Phil Salt against the SRH in Ahmedabad.
The aggressive right-hander played a 14-ball, 23-run knock laced with two fours and as many sixes to help KKR chase down the target of 160 runs with 6.2 overs to spare to thrash the SRH by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad to march into the IPL 2024 final, which will be played in Chennai on May 26.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves ailing mother to rejoin KKR for IPL 2024 Playoffs
After the KKR vs SRH Qualifier 1, Gurbaz said that he had returned home to be with his ailing mother in the middle of the tournament. However, about ten days ago, KKR team management contacted him after Phil Salt departed for national duties and told him they needed him for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Despite the emotional turmoil and the tough decision, the Afghanistan cricketer decided to return to India to support his KKR team in the crucial IPL 2024 playoffs, leaving his ailing mother in the hospital back at home.
Gurbaz admitted the challenge of balancing his personal and professional commitments, but he took his mother’s blessings and came to India to support his “other family” in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Furthermore, Gurbaz revealed that his mother is still in the hospital, and he speaks with her daily. The 22-year-old wicketkeeper said that it is a really tough situation but reiterated his commitment and responsibility towards KKR.
My mom is still sick: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz said in the post-match press in Ahmadabad: “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.”
The Afghan star also opened up about not getting the chance this season until Salt was available for KKR. He said that as a cricketer, he made sure he was prepared when the opportunity came.
Gurbaz signed off by saying, “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.”
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