IPL 2021: Players who didn’t honour IPL contracts – Injuries often see player pullouts in the IPL and in any other tournaments. But when players register their name in the auction and then fail to honour their contract with no injuries, it becomes a problem for the franchises. Much like the IPL 2020, many players including the heavyweights like Pat Cummins, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Adam Zampa amongst others not honour their IPL contract and pull out, dealing a blow to franchises’ plans.
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The fact that a franchise goes into an auction with the intention to build a team that stays together for the duration of the season. A lot of planning goes into picking up a player and when someone pulls out, it hampers their planning and the set of goals as they are to spend a lot of time searching for replacements.
Furthermore, it also affects the brand IPL. For example, a total of 64 foreign players are allowed in IPL and in IPL 2021, 17 of them have withdrawn, dealing a blow to both BCCI and the franchises. InsideSport takes a look at players who have pulled out this season barring any injuries.
IPL 2021: 15 IPL Players who pulled out and did not honour their IPL contracts this year
Adam Zampa (RCB): One of the first players to pull out midway through IPL 2021 was Australian spinner Adam Zampa. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player pulled out citing bubble fatigue amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India in May. In phase 1, Adam Zampa didn’t feature in any match.
Daniel Sams (RCB): Another RCB player to pull out was Daniel Sams. The Australian played two matches in the IPL 2021 after spending 14 days in isolation after contracting COVID-19 upon reaching India. But he didn’t want to come back and pulled out ahead of Phase 2.
Also READ: IPL 2021-Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sherfane Rutherford to replace Jonny Bairstow at SRH
Josh Philippe (RCB): RCB have had a long list of pull outs and Australian youngster Josh Philippe was one of them. He too informed the franchise that he won’t be available for the IPL.
Josh Hazlewood (CSK): Chennai Super Kings were dealt a blow when Josh Hazlewood pulled out at the last moment ahead of IPL 2021. The Aussie pacer decided to spend more time with family amid COVID and not to travel to India.
IPL 2021: 15 IPL Players who pulled out and did not honour their IPL contracts this year
Ben Stokes (RR): Ben Stokes played just one match for RR in IPL 2021 before injuring his finger. He returned to England after the match and since then has been recovering from the injury. However, the all-rounder decided to take an indefinite break from cricket citing mental health and decided not to return for IPL 2021.
Jos Buttler (RR): Another Rajasthan Royals player to pull out was Jos Buttler. The England opener played the entire IPL 2021 phase 1 but decided against returning for Phase 2 citing bubble fatigue.
Liam Livingstone (RR): Liam Livingstone left IPL 2021 midway through the season amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India. The England batsman although will be returning for Phase 2.
Dawid Malan (PBKS): It is difficult to term Dawid Malan’s pull out other than plain and simple revenge. After Virat Kohli & Co decided not to play the 5th Test amid the COVID-19 outbreak inside India’s camp, Dawid Malan pulled out at the last moment, annoying Punjab Kings.
Jonny Bairstow (SRH): Another last-minute pullout came from SRH’s top-scorer Jonny Bairstow and it is believed that he too followed similar instincts as Dawid Malan, dealing an ailing SRH a heavy blow.
Chris Woakes (DC): Amongst the three players, Delhi Capitals’ Chris Woakes is the other England player to announce his pull out at the 11th hour. The England pacer gave no reason behind the opt-out. Chris Woakes played just two matches in Phase 1 due to injury.
Andrew Tye (RR): After returning midway through IPL 2021 Phase 1, Australian pacer Andrew Tye informed RR that he won’t be returning for Phase 2 due to bubble fatigue.
Kane Richardson (RCB): After playing Phase 1 of IPL, the Australian all-rounder decided against returning for Phase 2. He had also opted out of Australia’s tour of West Indies and Bangladesh.
Pat Cummins (KKR): KKR’s star pacer and Australia’s vice-captain Pat Cummins was the first confirmed pullout of Phase 2. The star opted out to be with his partner who is expecting their first child.
Riley Meredith (PBKS): The other PBKS pacer to pull out is Riley Meredith. The Australian star also featured in Phase 1 and has missed Australia’s tours while also opting out of Phase 2.
Finn Allen (RCB): The New Zealander came as a replacement player for Josh Philippe and spent the first half of IPL on the bench. But he has informed the franchise that he won’t be returning and Tim David has been roped in as a replacement.
IPL 2021: 15 IPL Players who pulled out and did not honour their IPL contracts this year