New Delhi: India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will miss the 10th Indian Premier League due to a recurrence of a sports hernia.
Ashwin plays for Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL.
And a host of Indian players will either miss or be rested for a few games after a gruelling international season.
Test openers KL Rahul (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Murali Vijay (Kings XI Punjab), both suffering from dodgy shoulders, will miss the entire tournament while skipper Virat Kohli and speedster Umesh Yadav are set to skip a few matches for their respective franchises RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Ashwin, a key member of the Indian team across all formats, will be required to be 100 per cent fit during the upcoming Champions Trophy starting June 1.
The 30-year-old all-rounder has featured in all the 13 home Test matches this season, handling an unbelievable workload of bowling close to 750 overs.
He has taken an astounding 81 wickets this season, the highest by any Indian bowler, and also contributed handsomely in the bulk of India’s 10 Test victories.
Delhi Daredevils (DD) on Friday, meanwhile, officially launched their campaign for the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league.
At the launch, Delhi Daredevils Chief Executive Office Hemant Dua, GMR Sports Director and former India fast bowler T.A. Sekar and the captain for the season Zaheer Khan were present.
The trio formally inducted the two new recruits — fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada — into the franchise for the 2017 edition.
Daredevils captain Zaheer Khan expressed hope that the side will turn a corner in the season.
“To have the likes of Pat (Cummins) and Kagiso (Rabada) adds teeth to our bowling attack. They are two of the best in the world. It will be great fun to interact and share ideas. That is the beauty of IPL. Also we have some other talented players, all this always makes my job as a captain very enjoyable,” Zaheer said.
Cummins and Rabada were excited to build on their performances in India when touring with their national squads.
“It is an absolute joy to be involved with a fantastic franchise like Delhi Daredevils. I could not have asked for a better opportunity. I have enjoyed bowling in India and hope to gain some more by bowling alongside the likes of Zak, Kagiso and Shami,” said Cummins.
On his part South Africa’s Rabada also exuded hope for his first season in IPL.
“To make my IPL debut will be an exciting time. I have been looking forward to turning up for Delhi Daredevils since the auction. I have learnt a lot from the 2015 tour (to India). It will be great to build from there,” he said.
Delhi Daredevils will begin their tournament with their first match on April 8 in Bengaluru against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
