IPL 2023: Injury Cloud Over Punjab Kings’ Jonny Bairstow

In a big jolt to Punjab Kings, explosive top-order batter Jonny Bairstow’s participation in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) is under serious doubt as they are yet to receive an update about their overseas recruit. Bairstow is recovering from a leg injury and he’s on course to make a comeback on the field.

According to the latest report of ESPNcricinfo, the Punjab Kings are in constant touch with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and they are waiting for medical clearance from ECB on Bairstow. The report further suggests that while Kings await confirmation from the ECB, they have already shortlisted a handful of possible replacements, but have yet to finalize one player.

Punjab Kings decided to retain Bairstow for the IPL 2023 season after securing his services at the 2022 mega auction for INR 6.75 crore. While the first half of the Englishman last year was disappointing, he was promoted to open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan. The move proved to be fruitful for Bairstow as he took full advantage of the field restrictions. He gave several quick starts to PBKS. Knowing his ability, PBKS decided to retain Bairstow for the upcoming edition. The Yorkshire-based batter scored 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23 with a strike rate of 144.57, with two fifties to his name.

IPL 2023: The Road to Recovery Has Been a Long One for Bairstow

Last year, Bairstow broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle, days before the final Test of England’s home summer against South Africa. He suffered a freak injury after slipping while playing golf with friends, suffering multiple fractures in his fibula. The leg injury saw the 33-year-old break his fibula in three places, which required complicated surgical intervention. For recovery he needed surgery and he was referred to London for the same.

Since that horrific accident, Bairstow has not played a single game of cricket. He missed the T20 World Cup in Australia and tours to Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, as well as the ILT20 where he was due to play for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Recently, Bairstow posted a video on his social media account in which he can be running for the first time after completing his surgery. In the video, Bairstow can be seen completing some 30 seconds of running.

If Bairstow is fit for the 2023 season of the IPL, the right-handed batter is most likely to be spotted at the top alongside skipper Dhawan. With all his experience in T20 cricket, Bairstow is an asset to the Punjab-based team. Punjab Kings will start their IPL 2023 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1st at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali and PBKS would love to have a fit Bairstow for that game.