Usman Khawaja likely to replace injured KP in RPS

As per the reports, the Australian opener Usman Khawaja might be the roped in as the replacement for Kevin Pietersen by the Rising Pune Supergiants. Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the IPL following a calf injury.

Now the Aussie opener Usman Khawaja is being reported as the top priority for the replacement by the struggling Rising Pune Supergiants, who have won just one game so far. On being asked whether Usman Khawaja will be added to the RPS side  as a replacement for Kevin Pietersen, the RPS coach Stephen Fleming said, “He is a guy we are surely looking at. There is a shortlist we are working through so looking at availability and visas and the like, but he is certainly a guy we are interested in.”

Some sources have already confirmed his signing and the buzz around social media about this replacement is high. “Till Late in the day, there was no confirmation from Rising Pune, but sources outside the franchise said that it was the 29-year old Khawaja and nobody else,” quoted a report mentioned in the Telegraph.

If Usman Khawaja is added to the squad, he can be a key part in solving the batting woes of the Pune franchise. Playing for the Sydney Thunder in Big Bash last year, Khawaja hit two tons and was in the prime of his batting form. He even hit a classy 70 that helped his side win the Big Bash finals. If he gets into the team, it would be interesting to see who MS Dhoni replaces him with especially with FAF du Plessis and Ajinkya Rahane already settled in the opening role and Steve Smith at the number three position.