With the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) on the horizon, cricket enthusiasts are abuzz, especially after the significant spending by franchises at the recent mini auction at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on December 19. However, as fans eagerly await the 17th IPL season starting in March, there's a chance that several prominent players from different countries might not participate. Here's a look at potential absentees.
Before delving into the list of injured Indian players ahead of IPL 2024, it's essential to discuss some Afghan players facing possible bans from the league. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 2 crore, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who joined Sunrisers Hyderabad, are among them. Their bans relate to specific reasons. Additionally, another significant Afghan star is banned from participating in overseas leagues.
Naveen-ul-Haq, an Afghanistan pacer playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL, might miss the upcoming tournament. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) sanctioned him for prioritising T20 leagues over national cricket. The situation could evolve in the next month, with the possibility of ACB granting him permission to play in the IPL.
Ankles injuries have caused a few concerns for India and associated IPL teams in the recent past, with a major setback being the injury to Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami ahead of the IPL. Shami is currently recovering from an ankle injury, which led to his absence from the South Africa Tests and ODIs. It is expected that he might also miss the Afghanistan T20Is. Presently, there's no specific update available regarding Shami's timeline for returning to the cricket field.
Suryakumar Yadav, shocking many, appeared in a video on social media by Mumbai Indians walking on crutches. He sustained an ankle injury during the South Africa ODIs, likely a Grade 2 tear, ruling him out of the upcoming Afghanistan T20Is. His IPL readiness remains uncertain due to a potentially slower recovery, especially with the league potentially starting early in March due to Lok Sabha elections.
Mumbai Indians face a significant worry with Hardik Pandya's injury concerns. His history with such injuries, seemingly innocuous at the start but requiring extended recovery later, sees him missing the Afghanistan T20Is due to an ankle injury. His availability for IPL 2024 remains an interesting development.
As for MS Dhoni, knee issues have been a concern. He faced problems during the last IPL season and hinted at his future being dependent on his body's response. A video from his visit to his Uttarakhand village showed him struggling while climbing down steps. Retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he aims for a sixth IPL trophy, but how he manages his knee concerns is something to watch.