The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is around the corner, with just ten days left in the league’s opening clash between defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The preparations for the tournament’s 16th edition are also in full swing as every franchise looks forward to clinching the title. However, Punjab Kings (PBKS) faced a big blow ahead of the marquee event when one of their star players opted out of the IPL 2023.
England’s star wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow whom the Punjab-based franchise bought for a whopping 6.75 crore at the 2022 players’ auction, according to a report by Guardian, decided not to feature in the world’s richest cricket league. Notably, he sustained a serious leg injury in September last year while playing golf and underwent surgery after sustaining multiple fractures, a dislocated ankle and ligament damage. A metal plate was also inserted in the left leg of the English batter as a part of the treatment.
Due to the injury, Bairstow missed the 2022 T20 World Cup, which England won under Jos Buttler‘s captaincy. The 31-year-old also missed England’s tour to Pakistan and New Zealand later. While on the recovery path, Bairstow aims to focus on the 2023 Ashes and hence wouldn’t join the PBKS camp.
Even though Bairstow has started practising at nets, he has no plan to join the IPL midway. Instead, he will turn up for Yorkshire in County cricket to train for the Ashes. Talking about Bairstow’s performance in last year’s IPL, the right-handed opening batter didn’t have a convincing 2022 season and managed to score just 253 in eleven matches.
In the upcoming edition of the league, Punjab will be captained by their new skipper Shikhar Dhawan and will start their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1 at home. Dhawan replaced Mayank Agrawal as the PBKS captain, whom the franchise let go in the 2022 auction, where the latter got purchased by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
