IPL 2021 Phase 2: Shreyas Iyer, Natarajan allowed comeback

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Replacements Deadline: BCCI & the Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) has set 20th August as the final deadline for IPL franchises to finalize their replacements. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad breathed a huge sigh of relief as BCCI has also approved return of Shreyas Iyer and T Natarajan. Both the players were injured in the Phase 1 and were replaced by other cricketers. But now the Indian board has approved their comeback.

Shreyas Iyer had played no part in Phase 1, while Natarajan had played some games before opting out to get his injured knee operated on.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Phase 2: Big concern for CSK as Faf Du Plessis again getting affected by concussion, withdraws from The Hundred

IPL 2021: BCCI sets August 20th deadline for IPL franchise to announce replacements, Iyer & Natarajan allowed comeback

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Replacements Deadline: As per ESPNCricinfo, IPL’s chief operating officer Hemang Amin has informed all the IPL franchises, that the players who were replaced in Phase 1 due to injury or any other reason can return.

“If in case any player who was injured or unavailable during the India leg of IPL 2021 and is now fit or available then the franchise which had taken a replacement player [due to] such previous unavailability, will need to elect [either] one of them.”

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Replacements Deadline: Shreyas Iyer had led the Delhi Capitals to playoff positions in the last two seasons, but was ruled out of Phase 1 after suffering a shoulder injury during India vs England series earlier this year. The 26-year-old has been passed fit for the second leg of the IPL and arrive in Dubai along with Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre and trainer Rajnikanth Sivagnanam on Saturday. It remains unknown whether Iyer will resume captaincy duties when he returns. Rishabh Pant has led the side well in his absence, with Capitals winning six of their eight games.

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IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Replacements Deadline: Meanwhile, T Natarajan’s return to full fitness will be a huge boost for Sunrisers Hyderabad who registered only a solitary win in their seven Phase 1 games. The 29-year-old had struggled with a sore knee but will hope to have found a solution following surgery in April. The left-arm pacer will eye a good return to remain in Team India’splans for the T20 World Cup later this year.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Phase 2: Big concern for CSK as Faf Du Plessis again getting affected by concussion, withdraws from The Hundred

IPL 2021 Phase 2: A host of players had opted out of Phase 1 due to injuries, bio-bubble fatigue and personal reasons. Australian trio Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Josh Philippe had missed the tournament to manage workload. Liam Livingstone had also opted to cite bio-bubble fatigue.

IPL 2021 Phase 2: Players who opted out of Phase 1

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gurkeerat Singh replaced Rinku Singh
Chennai Super Kings: Jason Behrendorff replaced Josh Hazlewood
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Jason Roy replaced Mitchell Marsh
Rajasthan Royals: Gerald Coetzee replaced Liam Livingstone
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Scott Kuggeleijn replaced Kane Richardson, Finn Allen replaced Josh Phillipe
Delhi Capitals: Anirudh Joshi replaced Shreyas Iyer

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