The 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL-2023) will start on 31 March. Even before the start of the season, Punjab Kings suffer a major blow. The player they bought by spending crores of rupees has been ruled out of the entire season. This is because of the NOC (No Objection Certificate), which his country’s cricket board still needs to give.
The IPL is to start on 31 March, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given a big blow to the Punjab Kings team. England’s explosive batter Jonny Bairstow, recovering from a foot injury, will not be able to play in the entire season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year due to non-approval of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his country’s cricket board.
However, all-rounder Liam Livingstone has permission to play in this T20 tournament. Livingstone has returned to the field after recovering from knee and ankle injuries.
Punjab Kings bought Johnny Bairstow for Rs 6.75 crore during the IPL auction. According to a Cricbuzz report, ‘There is good and bad news for the Punjab Kings as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given the green signal to Liam Livingstone to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Johnny Bairstow has been barred from participating in this competition.
NOC has not been given to Bairstow from the ECB. Bairstow will not be able to play for the whole season. Bairstow could not become a part of the T20 World Cup in September due to multiple fractures caused by slipping on the golf course. Apart from this, he could not even go on the Test tour of Pakistan and New Zealand.
