Jonny Bairstow of England will not play in the upcoming Indian Premier League season, according to Punjab Kings, because he was unable to fully heal from an unexpected golf injury.
Bairstow will be replaced by Australian batsman Matthew Short in the squad, which will face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1.
“We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury,” Punjab said in a statement on Saturday.
“We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season. We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement.”
33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow has been sidelined since breaking his left leg and dislocating his foot while playing golf in September of last year.
In the most recent Big Bash League, Short, 27, was named player of the competition after scoring more than 400 runs and taking 11 wickets with his off-spin.
Similar to the IPL, the Australian domestic competition uses the Twenty20 style.
Injured Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant are two other prominent players who won’t be playing in this year’s IPL, which kicks off on March 31.
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