In a surprising development just a few days ahead of IPL 2021, three players of the England Test cricket team that recently played an ICC World Test Championship series against the Indian cricket team, have decided to pull out of the remaining matches of IPL 2021. The England cricket team hosted a 5-Test series against the Indian cricket team, where the Indian cricket team was leading by 2-1 after four matches.
The fifth Test match was scheduled to begin on September 10 in Manchester. However, because of a few positive COVID-19 tests in the Indian camp, the visitors could not field a XI. Soon, the decision was taken that the Test match will be postponed. Now, the Indian stars are heading to the United Arab Emirates for the remaining matches of IPL 2021. Some English stars will travel with them as well, but the following three names will be missing.
1. Dawid Malan – Punjab Kings already signed a replacement for him in IPL 2021
World number one T20I batsman Dawid Malan played only one match for the Punjab Kings team in the first phase of IPL 2021. The left-handed batsman looked in good touch during the recently-played Test series between the Indian cricket team and the England cricket team. Until now, he was ready to play in the IPL. However, all of a sudden, news emerged that he will not play. Punjab Kings have already roped in South African batsman Aiden Markram as a replacement for Malan in IPL 2021.
2. Chris Woakes
Another big name to have withdrawn from the second phase of IPL 2021 is Chris Woakes. The pace-bowling all-rounder is a part of the Delhi Capitals team in the competition. Woakes played in a few matches for DC during Phase 1 of IPL. However, he has now made himself unavailable. DC already have the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Tom Curran and Anrich Nortje present. Thus, they will not be much worried.
3. Jonny Bairstow
The last name on the list is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Jonny Bairstow. He was in fantastic form during the first phase of IPL 2021. Now that Bairstow is reportedly unavailable, David Warner and Kane Williamson will likely feature in the playing XI together.
