Kolkata Knight Riders have signed left-arm fast bowler Chetan Sakariya as a replacement player for Umran Malik ahead of the IPL 2025 season. Malik, who was bought by the defending champions for INR 75 lakh, has been ruled out of the season with an as yet unspecified injury.

The 27-year-old Sakariya was picked up by KKR ahead of their title-winning season last year but didn't feature in any game of their victorious campaign. Subsequently, he went unsold at the mega auction held late last year before earning his breakthrough now as a replacement player. He has been signed up at a price of INR 75 lakh.

Sakariya has played 19 IPL games over three seasons (2021-23) and has taken 20 wickets at an economy of 8.43. He made his debut for Rajasthan Royals before moving to the Delhi Capitals in 2022. In all T20s, he has 65 wickets from 46 games at a healthy economy of 7.69.