Massive Setback For SRH And PBKS As Markram And Rabada To Miss Initial Games Of IPL 2023
Aiden Markram will lead SRH in IPL 2023 [Source: Twitter]
In a significant development, Cricket South Africa has confirmed that its several contracted players- Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi and David Miller etc.- will have a delayed arrival in the IPL 2023 due to national commitment. These players, including a few others, will join the IPL on April 3 after the conclusion of South Africa's home ODI series against the Netherlands.
As reported by ESPN Cricinfo, the CSA has informed the BCCI about the delayed arrival of the aforementioned cricketers.
Notably, the home series against the Dutch holds significant importance for the Proteas, as they need a clean sweep to seal their direct qualification for the ODI World Cup scheduled in India later this year.
Therefore, the CSA wants its core players to play the series before departing for India to participate in the lucrative league.
Meanwhile, the absence of these players has emerged as a headache for their respective IPL franchises. While Markram is set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rabada and Nortje are vital members of Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, respectively.
Similarly, David Miller is the prime finisher of Gujarat Titans, who will face MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener.
Furthermore, if Tristan Stubbs doesn't join Mumbai Indians' camp in time, the five-time champions will have a weakened squad to field in their initial games, as they are already set to miss the services of their ace paceman, Jasprit Bumrah.
Thus, the unavailability of the South African superstars will adversely affect their IPL franchises, who will battle it out for a decorated trophy in the tournament beginning March 31.