The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has permitted Liam Livingstone to play in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) but has stopped Jonny Bairstow from doing so. This is both good and bad news for the Punjab Kings. The Punjab team spent more than Rs 18 crore on the two English batters because they were so crucial to the team. Sam Curran is the other big English player on the Punjab team. He cost the team almost as much as his two senior England teammates.
Bairstow had surgery in October for a broken leg and a dislocated ankle. He is expected to be back on his feet in a couple of weeks, but because he has been out for so long, the ECB has decided not to give him the NOC for the new season, which starts on March 31. The ECB is hoping that he can play in the Ashes later this year. Bairstow, who is 33 years old and was bought by the Punjab Kings in an auction for Rs 6.75 crore in 2022, hasn’t played competitive cricket since August.
Livingstone, who is 29 years old, hasn’t played since the Rawalpindi Test in December when he hurt his knee and ankle. He did, however, train with the Lancashire County Cricket Club in Dubai during the off-season. He has since gone back home. Even though there has been no official word on whether or not he will play in the IPL, Livingstone will be available for the Punjab Kings for the whole IPL season. He cost Rs 11.50 crores, which is a lot of money.
Besides Livingstone, Curran was also confirmed to be there. The English all-rounder became the most expensive player ever bought at an IPL auction when PBKS paid Rs 18.50 crore for him earlier this year. Sources have also confirmed that all other English players will take part in the IPL, with the exception of Will Jacks. These players include Mark Wood (Lucknow), Jofra Archer (Mumbai Indians), and Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings). Royal Challengers Bangalore paid Rs. 3.2 crore for Jacks, but he can’t play because of an injury. Michael Bracewell has already been named as his replacement by the RCB.
Players From England In IPL 2023:
Sam Curran (Punjab Kings), Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings), Harry Brook (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Phil Salt (Delhi Capitals), Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Adil Rashid (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Joe Root (Rajasthan Royals), Liam Livingstone (Punjab Kings), Jonny Bairstow (Punjab Kings), Moeen Ali (Chennai Super Kings), Jofra Archer (Mumbai Indians), Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), David Willey (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Mark Wood (Lucknow Super Giants).
