IPL 2022 is here and as always, tensions are riding high among patients and spectators equally. While fans are anxiously awaiting the return of their favorite cricket event, players are undergoing last-minute health checks and training. It is a joyous occasion for some fans as they will be able to see their favorite cricketers back on the pavilion after suffering injuries. However, a few fans will have to face disappointment as their favorite cricketers shall miss the competition.
Several major IPL teams including Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, have faced a major blow due to injured sports players that may affect their performance in the upcoming tournament.
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Cricketers who are coming back to IPL after injuries include:
Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje is a fast bowler playing for the Delhi Capitals team. He has been suffering from recurring hip injuries and has been unable to participate in any official sports matches since November 2021. His 4-month break from sports has thankfully allowed him enough time to recover. As he arrived in Mumbai on Mar 20th, fans of the Delhi Capitals breathed a sigh of relief.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Fans of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) rejoice as the star opener of the team, Ruturaj Gaikwad, finally received a clean bill of health and rejoined practice for the team’s first match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Previously Ruturaj had to skip out of a few matches from India vs. Sri Lanka T20 series due to a wrist injury during a practice session.
Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson has been suffering from recurring shoulder pain for some time. He finally had to be sidelined from international cricket in November 2021 due to a new shoulder injury. Thankfully, he has rejoined the rest of his IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, in Mumbai. However, it remains to be seen whether he is fit enough to join the playing 11 for the team’s first match against Rajasthan Royals on March 29.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav has diligently fulfilled his duties as an all-rounder for both the Indian cricket team and the Mumbai Indians IPL team. However, he incurred a hairline fracture on his right thumb during the Inda-West Indies tournament and had to sit out the entirety of the India vs. Sri Lanka T20 series. While he has rejoined the Mumbai Indians team, it is yet to be seen if he will be among the playing XI for the team’s IPL opener against Delhi Capitals on March 27.
Several other players who are still unfit and whose availability for the playing 11 for the first few IPL matches is still unconfirmed include:
Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar suffered from a right quadricep injury in early March during a T20I match against West Indies. He has been pretty much ruled out for at least the first half of the IPL tournament. Chahar is a medium-fast bowler who has been instrumental in helping Chennai Super Kings (CSK) get early wickets and win matches in the past tournaments. Rajvardhan Hangargekar, another quick bowler, has been selected as his replacement for the first half of the tournament, but CSK fans are fervently hoping he will be able to join the playing XI for CSK as soon as possible.
Mark Wood
Mark Wood, an English all-rounder, had been all set up to join his IPL team Lucknow Super Giants when he suffered a sudden fracture in his right elbow during a test match against West Indies last week. As he might have to sit out the entire tournament, KL Rahul, LSG’s captain, is currently looking for an appropriate replacement for him.
To conclude,
With IPL officially beginning next week, all teams are busy making last-minute preparations and ensuring all payers are in optimal condition to perform their best. With all these twists and turns, this 15th season of IPL promises to be as entertaining as all of its previous iterations.