IPL 2022: Every year before IPL, the IPL vs country debate gets an injection of fuel. This time, it is no different. Anrich Nortje despite being out of cricket for five months with hip injury joined his franchise Delhi Capitals while New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was also out of action for nearly three months only to appear for IPL in time. Follow IPL 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
But these two aren’t the only ones to snub country for IPL. Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera, who didn’t take any part in the Test series against India owing to injury management has recovered miraculously just in time for IPL. InsideSport takes a look at 5 players who were deemed UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play in IPL 2022.
IPL 2022: Country vs IPL debate snowballs with Anrich Nortje’s arrival, 5 players who are UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play IPL
Hardik Pandya (GT): The biggest name of them all is Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder decided to take a break from cricket post T20 World Cup to ‘focus’ on recovery. He snubbed all requests from the BCCI to continue rehabilitation at the NCA. Now, after five months, he has cleared fitness tests and will captain Gujarat Giants.
IPL 2022: Country vs IPL debate snowballs with Anrich Nortje’s arrival, 5 players who are UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play IPL
Anrich Nortje (DC): South African speedtster Anrich Nortje is still unfit as per CSA. He missed five months owing to a hip injury and wasn’t considered for any series that South Africa played during this time. But on Sunday, he joined Delhi Capitals, expecting to be fit for IPL just in time.
Kane Williamson 🧡🧡🧡 gud evening cults sunrisers Hyderabad admin hype ekkistunnadu pic.twitter.com/gz2WN3b9D2
— SunRisersFc (@SUNRISERSFCS) March 16, 2022
IPL 2022: Country vs IPL debate snowballs with Anrich Nortje’s arrival, 5 players who are UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play IPL
Kane Williamson (SRH): A nagging elbow injury kept the New Zealand captain out of action for nearly three months. Since the Kanpur Test against India, he was deemed unfit to play. He was even kept out of the home series against Bangladesh. But Williamson has joined Sunrisers Hyderabad just in time for IPL.
Dushmantha CHAMEERA is on his way to join Super Giants.#WeAreSuperGiants | #IPL2022#LucknowSuperGiants #TATAIPL #AbApniBaariHai @LucknowIPL pic.twitter.com/k9fL473GQd
— SuperGiantsArmy™ — LSG FC (@LucknowIPLCover) March 20, 2022
IPL 2022: Country vs IPL debate snowballs with Anrich Nortje’s arrival, 5 players who are UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play IPL
Dushmantha Chameera (LSG): The weirdest amongst all is the case of Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera. He travelled with the Lankan team for the Test series but did not take any part in the series owing to injury management. Local media reports in Sri Lanka hinted that he was apparently asked not to play in the series by his IPL team. While InsideSport could not independently verify the claims, Chameera has regained full fitness just in time for the IPL.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa (PBKS): The only Sri Lankan batter in the IPL was axed from the national team because he was deemed unfit. He was even downgraded in the central contracts. But the big-hitting all-rounder has been deemed fit to play in the IPL and has joined PBKS squad ahead of IPL 2022, raising doubts over his selection process.
IPL 2022: Country vs IPL debate snowballs with Anrich Nortje’s arrival, 5 players who are UNFIT to play for country but are FIT to play IPL
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