IPL 2021: Players who will miss the season due to injuries/personal reasons
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to kick-start the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India after hosting the previous season in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament will run from April 9 to May 30 across six venues including the likes of Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
With the T20 Championship round the corner, all the eight franchises have started their preparations, however, a few teams have been dealt with massive shocks as their main players have either been ruled out or have pulled their name from the tournament owing to a variety of reasons.
Here are the players who have pulled out/been ruled out of IPL 2021 for different reasons.
Josh Hazlewood
The Australian fast bowler of Chennai Super Kings opted out of the 2021 edition of the IPL due to constant “bubbles and quarantines” over the last year or so. The 30-year-old is currently a part of the New South Wales’ setup in Australia’s domestic one-day competition. Keeping his workload in the upcoming months in mind, Hazlewood decided to skip the IPL in order to spend quality time with his family.
Mitchell Marsh
Due to personal reasons, Mitchell Marsh will be opting out of #IPL2021.
We would like to welcome @JasonRoy20 to the #SRHFamily! ?#OrangeOrNothing #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/grTMkVUns4
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 31, 2021
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have suffered a big blow just a few days before the start of IPL 2021 as their all-rounder Mitchell Marsh decided to skip the upcoming tournament. The Australian all-rounder pulled out of the competition citing his inability to spend long times inside the bio-secure bubble. SRH were quick to name English opening batsman Jason Roy as Marsh’s replacement. Roy has previously played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL but could not deliver as per expectation.
Josh Philippe
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were mighty impressed with Australia’s young rookie Josh Philippe’s form in the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). However, Josh has pulled out his name from the upcoming T20 extravaganza citing personal reasons. The Bangalore-outfit has named New Zealand’s Finn Allen as a replacement for Josh Philippe.
Shreyas Iyer
Delhi Capital’s skipper and ace batsman Iyer is likely to miss the complete tournament after suffering a massive shoulder injury during the first One Day International of the three-match series between India and England. In the eighth over of England’s innings, Shreyas fell awkwardly on his left shoulder while successfully intercepting a drive from Jonny Bairstow. The right-hander managed to bruise his shoulder pretty badly and was immediately rushed for the scans from the ground as he could be seen withering with the massive pain.
The initial reports suggest that the injury is pretty bad, and Shreyas Iyer might need a healing time of about four to five months. This possibly means that the batsman may stay away from the game of cricket till September.
Jofra Archer
Ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the wooden-spooners of the previous season, Rajasthan Royals have been dealt with a massive blow as it is speculated that England’s speed merchant Jofra Archer is all set to give the upcoming tournament a miss due to multiple injuries on his right hand. Archer has been suffering from pain in his right elbow for quite some time now. After the surgery, Archer will need some time for healing. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, the fast bowler will find it difficult to make successful return to the tournament. He is certain to miss the initial few matches of the IPL.
Dale Steyn
South Africa’s veteran right-arm fast bowler Dale Steyn was one of the most dangerous and intimidating fast bowlers of his time. However, the seamer is not as effective as before as he is past his prime and is marching towards the end of his cricket career. In the previous season, the 37-year-old had played for RCB but had a forgettable run as he could feature in Playing XI of just three games scalping one wicket at an economy rate of 11.40.
Therefore, the Proteas legendary pacer decided to give IPL 2021 a miss and is keener on playing in other franchise leagues across the globe apart from IPL.
