IPL 2023: Jonny Bairstow All Set to Skip the Tournament

As Punjab Kings prepare for the upcoming IPL season with hopes to end their title drought, they have dealt a huge blow as their overseas recruit Jonny Bairstow is most likely to miss the IPL 2023, which will begin on March 31 in Ahmedabad. According to the latest report of The Guardian, Bairstow will focus on his recovery and rehab in order to be fully fit for the five-match Ashes series, scheduled to take place in England.

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 Yorkshireman underwent successful surgery on a broken leg and dislocated ankle in September after a freak golf incident, ruling him out of the entire Winter season. Since that unfortunate accident, Bairstow has not played a single professional 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.

IPL 2023: Bairstow Plots Ashes Return- Reports

Prior to the horrible injury, Bairstow was in excellent form during a year that produced four Test hundreds and an average of 75.66. He is effectively guaranteed a place when he recovers from the badly broken leg he suffered at the end of last year’s home summer. Knowing the importance of the home Ashes series against Australia, Bairstow has reportedly decided to skip this year’s IPL.

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. That move proved to be fruitful for Bairstow and PBKS as he took full advantage of the opportunity given to him at the top by the management. He gave several quick starts to PBKS.

Despite a mediocre season with the bat, PBKS decided to retain Bairstow for the upcoming edition. The Yorkshire-based batter amassed 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23 with a strike rate of 144.57, with two fifties to his name.

There is yet no official word from the Punjab franchise on the matter. With less than 10 days left for the tournament to begin, it wouldn’t be too long before Punjab makes it official. They’ll have to look for a replacement for Bairstow as he was one of the sure starters for the Shikhar Dhawan-led team.