IPL 2021 Phase 2 – Worried franchises anxiously await injury status: After Washington Sundar pulled out of IPL 2021 with an injury, franchises are getting increasingly worried about some of their star players. Three India stars Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy besides South Africa’s Faf du Plessis and uncapped Indian Avesh Khan are racing against time to be fit for Phase 2 in UAE.
As the IPL 2021 Phase 2 begins on September 19, just a month before the T20 World Cup, BCCI is already keeping a tab on the players’ workload. Hardik Pandya is expected to play a big role in India’s T20 World Cup campaign while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the other two key bowlers whose workloads are being monitored by BCCI.
Hence, franchises could be asked to rest such key players in some of the matches to keep them fresh for the T20 World Cup. But as for the injured stars, franchises are in for a bigger headache — whether play them and risk BCCI’s wrath if they aggravate the injury.
Furthermore, Washington Sundar’s pullout has complicated the situation. Franchises are now monitoring their players’ fitness closely with just three weeks left in the tournament. InsideSport takes a look at the five players who are racing against time to regain full fitness ahead of IPL 2021 Phase 2.
IPL 2021: After Washington Sundar’s pullout, franchises very worried about injuries and recoveries of these 5 cricketers
Shubman Gill (KKR): The first on the list of injuries is Shubman Gill. The KKR opening batsman suffered a stress fracture on the left shin and was sent back home from England after the WTC Final. While he is not in the plans of the T20 World Cup, he is an important player for KKR. Shubman Gill has although joined the KKR camp in the UAE but he is yet to be 100% fit. With just 21 days left in the IPL, he is racing against time to be completely fit.
Hardik Pandya (MI): The India and Mumbai Indians all-rounder is the biggest headache at present. Hardik Pandya struggled in Sri Lanka with his fitness and form while he is one of the key players for Team India in the T20 World Cup. After returning from Sri Lanka, he spent nearly a month at NCA to be fit for the IPL but considering the T20 World Cup duty, Mumbai Indians could be forced use him cautiously in the IPL 2021 Phase 2.
Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): Despite being one of the most talented spinners, Varun Chakravarthy has been plagued with injuries and fitness problems. That he failed a fitness test thrice before finally donning the India jersey says a lot. But after an unimpressive Sri Lanka series, he too headed to the NCA. He underwent rehabilitation and there is a big question mark on his fitness. With him being in BCCI’s plans for the T20 World Cup, KKR are in a soup over his fitness concerns.
Avesh Khan (DC): A member of India’s net bowlers on the England tour, Avesh Khan fractured his left thumb during India’s warm-up match against Select County XI. He was promptly sent back home. While he has recovered from the injury and begun training at the NCA, Bengaluru, his availability for the entire tournament is still doubtful. With his skills, Avesh Khan has impressed the selectors and BCCI has been monitoring him. Hence, the franchise will not rush his comeback.
Also Read: IPL 2021: Fit-again DC captain Shreyas Iyer aims IPL glory to return to Team India
Faf du Plessis (CSK): The former South Africa captain suffered a concussion while playing in Pakistan Super League. Since then, he has struggled and had to pull out of the PSL 2021 and The Hundred. While he did return in the CPL 2021, his fitness remained a question mark. From being a blistering form in the IPL, he struggled to score runs in the two matches that he played. While he is set to return for IPL 2021 Phase 2, CSK will be worried about his full fitness.
IPL 2021: After Washington Sundar’s pullout, franchises very worried about injuries and recoveries of these 5 cricketers
However, apart from the five, Steve Smith, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard are amongst many others who are still recovering from injuries.
