Punjab Kings' English Superstar Set To Miss IPL 2023


image-lfibvdq6Jonny Bairstow (Source: BCCI/IPL)

In what is coming as major heartbreaking news for the Punjab Kings fans, English recruit Jonny Bairstow, will miss the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League with a leg injury that he sustained last year.

The wicket-keeper batter is a vital cog for the side as he opens the batting and is known to provide solid starts. However, he was unable to impress last season for the franchise with 253 runs in 11 matches as his average was just 23.

Bairstow was ruled out of the entire English winter that included T20 World Cup and England's Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand as he suffered fractures, dislocated ankles, and ligament damage after a freak injury on the golf course.

The right-hander then went under the knife where he was operated on to include a metal plate in his leg.

However, an official statement on his injury and withdrawal is still awaited from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Moreover, it is expected that he would be back to professional cricket by the month of June for his county side Yorkshire.

It was expected that the big-hitter would return to action mid-march or so but pending surgery meant that there will be a delay in his return to the cricketing arena.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings would be looking at potential options to replace the Englishmen and it would interesting to see who they choose.