My Mom is Still in Hospital: How KKR’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz is Balancing His Two Families
22.05.2024: In early May, Rahmanullah Gurbaz faced a challenging situation. The 22-year-old cricketer had to leave the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to be with his ailing mother. During his short break, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) management contacted him urgently, needing him back for the playoffs due to Phil Salt’s unavailability. Torn between his two “families,” Gurbaz made the tough decision to return to the team while managing his responsibilities at home.
“My mom is still sick. I went there and got a call from here when Phil Salt was leaving. They messaged me, ‘Gurbaz, we need you,’ and asked for my feedback. I said, yes, I will come. My mom is still in the hospital, and I’m always talking to her. This is also my family; I must manage my mom and KKR family. It’s hard, it’s tough, but I still need to manage,” said Gurbaz during a post-match press conference.
Juggling Commitments
Before the Qualifier 1 against SRH, KKR had maintained a consistent opening combination. Gurbaz, retained before the auction, warmed the bench while Salt, Jason Roy’s replacement, impressed with 435 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 185. Despite being benched, Gurbaz stayed prepared and maintained a positive mindset, ready to seize any opportunity.
“As a cricketer, you know what to do. Only four overseas players can play in the Playing XI, but you should always have the right mindset. If there is an opportunity for you, you should do your best. If there is no opportunity, you should be well prepared. Whenever you get the opportunity, you have to know what to do,” explains Gurbaz.
Seizing the Moment
Gurbaz was included in the KKR XI for their last league game against Rajasthan Royals, but rain in Guwahati delayed his opportunity. His first significant appearance came in the knockouts against SRH, where he performed well behind the stumps and contributed 23 runs off 14 balls, helping his team chase 160 runs. He credited the supportive KKR family for allowing him to enjoy the game despite the pressure.
“See, if you have top management like the KKR family, I think you don’t need to worry about anything. GG sir (Gautam Gambhir), Shah Rukh sir, the head coach, everyone is like a family. I didn’t play for a long time and suddenly played in the semi-final, which was big pressure, but they took all the pressure from me and said, ‘Just go and enjoy the game.’ I was well prepared actually because we had a very good net session. Phil Salt played well, and I hope I replace him in good name,” says Gurbaz.
Looking Ahead
KKR now heads to Chennai for the IPL 2024 final, with opponents still undecided among RCB, RR, and SRH. Gurbaz aims to contribute significantly to help his KKR family win the long-awaited IPL trophy. Achieving this would bring joy not only to his teammates but also to his family and ailing mother back home.
By balancing his responsibilities and staying committed to both his families, Gurbaz exemplifies resilience and dedication, making his journey an inspiration for many.