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Jason Roy could potentially sign multi-year contract with KKR: report
Follow UsRoy would be free to sign such a deal, for it was only a few months back that he forfeited the final months of his contract with the ECB
England opener Jason Roy, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) and also the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) in USA, could potentially sign a multi-year contract with the Knight Riders franchise post the 50-over World Cup.
In an interview with The Times, the England opener admitted that there is a ‘potential’ of him signing such a contract, albeit only after the World Cup. The Knight Riders, as things stand, have franchises in four major T20 Leagues in the world: IPL (KKR), CPL (TKR), ILT20 (ADKR) and MLC (LAKR).
“Potentially, yes,” he told thetimes.co.uk when asked if he could sign a contract with the Knight Riders.
“The currency is always runs though. I’ve got to keep scoring runs, otherwise these opportunities won’t come about, but there is the potential. KKR have got teams in Dubai, India, America and the Caribbean, so that’s four big tournaments.
“At the moment all I’m caring about is 50-overs cricket. I’ve parked the franchise stuff until further down the line.”
Roy would be free to sign such a deal, for it was only a few months ago, back in May, that he forfeited the final months of his contract with the ECB. Roy took the decision in order to be able to play in the MLC in the USA.
"England Men's white-ball batter Jason Roy has informed the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that he wishes to take up an agreement with Major League Cricket in the USA later this summer," the ECB had said in its statement in May.
"The ECB have agreed for him to play in the competition on the provision that he gives up the remainder of his ECB incremental contract, which both parties have agreed to.”
Roy’s initial focus, however, will be on the 50-over World Cup in India starting next month. The 33-year-old opener, who played a significant part in England winning the championship in 2019, has been named in the Three Lions' provisional squad for the World Cup. The right-hander has not played a List A game since March but will return to action in the four-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting September 8th.
Roy has had a sound start to ODI cricket in 2023, having smashed two tons in six matches.