Punjab Kings, on Satuday (March 25), announced that their star batsman Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The England wicketkeeper-batsman has been ruled out of IPL owing to the freak injury he had suffered last year.
There were doubts over his participation for quite some time now although the franchise was hopeful that he might recover just in time for the sixteenth edition of the IPL. The Punjab-based outfit, via the BCCI, had been waiting for Jonny Bairstow’s exact fitness status from the ECB after the player had resumed training in late February since picking up the injury last September.
He had broken his left leg and dislocated his ankle on September 2 while playing golf with his friends during the home Test series against South Africa. He suffered the injury after slipping that caused multiple fractures in his fibula.
Since suffering that freak injury, he has not played competitive cricket at all. He missed last year’s T20 World Cup where England went all the way as well as the tours to Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Jonny Bairstow ruled out of IPL 2023:
While Jonny Bairstow resumed batting training in Yorkshire recently, he is nowhere close to match fitness. As per ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI informed the franchise to seek a replacement for the player this week. He is expected to make a return to competitive cricket through Division 2 of the County Championship, which will be played in May.
? IMPORTANT UPDATE ?
We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.
We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement.
#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/NnUMjCe8jV
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2023
Missing the England batsman would be a huge blow for Punjab Kings and could very well jeopardise their plans for IPL 2023. Last year, he scored 253 runs with the help of 2 fifties in 11 innings. Bairstow is one of the best white-ball players in the world.
The report from ESPNcricinfo further stated that PBKS could replace Bairstow with uncapped Australian batsman Matthew Short. He was recently adjudged the Player of the Tournament at the Big Bash League. Opening for Adelaide Strikers, he scored 458 runs at an average of 35.23.
Meanwhile, IPL 2023 is scheduled to begin on March 31.