Big Players Who will Miss the Action in IPL 2015
A few big names will be missing in action in the IPL this time. Some will miss the full tournament, while others will not be seen for a part of it.
- NDTV
- Updated: April 06, 2015 05:21 PM IST
1. Mitchell Starc
© Getty Images
The Man of the Tournament of the 2015 World Cup and the joint highest wicket-taker, Mitchell Starc will miss the start of the IPL this time with a knee strain.
The 25-year-old left arm fast bowler is recuperating in Australia and is expected to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2015. The Royal Challengers Bangalore will be very keen to welcome him back soon, considering the form he showcased in the recently concluded World Cup. (Rajasthan Geared up to Deliver Another Royal Show)
In the 2014 IPL season, Starc took 14 wickets in as many matches for RCB.
2. Kevin Pietersen
© AFP
Fans will not get to see the flamboyant Kevin Pietersen in action in IPL 2015. (Can the Kolkata Knight Riders Defend the Title?)
The 34-year-old was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 2 crore, but he had to be released once his deal with English county side Surrey was finalised.
KP chose to focus on county cricket in an attempt to make a comeback to the England national side. Coach of the Sunrisers, Tom Moody went on record to say that England 'would be foolish' not to consider a fit and in-form Pietersen. Pietersen's Hyderabad release though has a clause which states that he can be recalled if the Sunrisers reach the knockout stages of IPL 8.
3. Ross Taylor
© AFP
Big hitting New Zealander Ross Taylor's form in both the IPL and international cricket has dipped over the last few years. (IPL 2015: New Season, New Teams, Old Superstars)
The 31-year-old was released by the Delhi Daredevils franchise and he went unsold in the 2015 player auction. Taylor, who had a below-par World Cup campaign, scoring 221 runs in nine matches, didn't light up the stage last season in the IPL either. Taylor scored just 59 runs in four matches for the Daredevils in 2014.
4. Wayne Parnell
© BCCI
A very useful fast bowler, Wayne Parnell found himself on the list of unsold players in the last player auction.
The 25-year-old, who played for the Delhi Daredevils last season took six wickets and scored just two runs in eight matches in IPL 2014. The Daredevils put a lot of faith in Parnell over the seasons. He was first signed by them in 2010 at a price that made him the third highest paid South African cricketer in the IPL. But after a below-par season in 2014, no team seemed interested in the South African.
5. Cheteswar Pujara
© BCCI
Many people still see Cheteshwar Pujara as a Test specialist. That however didn't stop Kings XI Punjab from making him open with Virender Sehwag last season. That experiment though lasted for just six matches, after Pujara managed to score a total of 125 runs in those outings.
The 27-year-old, who has played for three different IPL teams - KKR, Royal Challengers and Kings XI - was not bought by any team in the last player auction. He has chosen instead to play county cricket for Yorkshire.