The Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings have got a massive setback before the IPL 2023 season. The star wicket-keeper batter from England Cricket Team Jonny Bairstow who is struggling with injury for some months has been officially ruled out from the 16th edition of the tournament.
Due to his leg injury, the 33 years old was unable to participate in the T20 World Cup 2022 and England’s Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand. He suffered a ligament injury in September 2022 when he slipped on a golf course.
According to a report in The Guardian, Jonny Bairstow had a metal plate implanted in his left leg and he is still a long way from returning to action as he is in rehab. However, the England Cricket Board is yet to give an official statement on Bairstow’s health.
The Indian Premier League season is scheduled to start on March 31 and Gujarat Titans will face the Chennai Super Kings. It is probable that Bairstow will resume playing County cricket with his team Yorkshire as he is unlikely to participate in the IPL. Bairstow’s performance during the 2022 IPL season with Punjab Kings was disappointing as he scored only 253 runs from 11 innings, averaging 23 with a strike rate of 144.57.
Jonny Bairstow has played 39 IPL matches to date and has scored over 1291 runs in total with an average of 35.86. He has 9 half-centuries and one century to his name in the history of IPL.
