Massive Setback for PBKS as England Mainstay Denied NOC For IPL 2023
Jonny Bairstow [Source: Twitter]
The IPL franchises are busy making late-minute adjustments to their squads ahead of the start of the season. The Punjab Kings, in particular, face a glaring issue about their star player Jonathan Bairstow. As reported by Crizbuzz, Bairstow has been denied a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for participating in IPL 2023.
The ECB does not want to risk Bairstow, who will make a comeback after a long injury lay-off, with one eye on the much-anticipated Ashes 2023, and the ICC World Cup.
Not everything is gloomy for the Kings; they will have the services of England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who the ECB has handed a NOC. Livingstone, too, is making a return from an ankle injury.
Sam Curran, who the Punjab franchise splurged INR 18.50 crore, will be in action this season.
The Kings will be under new captain Shikhar Dhawan, who will take over from Mayank Agarwal, while the coaching duties will be handled by Trevor Bayliss, who replaces Anil Kumble.
They will meet the Kolkata Knight Riders in their tournament opener on April 1 at Mohali.
A plethora of England players, including Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Mark Wood, will participate in the IPL 2023 starting this 31st.
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