IPL 2024: Players who might leave tournament midway due to their international duties

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some sensational performances from foreign players, thus far. Illustrious names such as Heinrich Klaasen, Mutafizur Rahman, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins have proven why they are considered the best in the business.
  
Most franchises are heavily banking on their overseas stalwarts in the competition. As the tournament will be played until May 26, 2024, some players might leave their IPL teams to serve their national sides. Before the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States, some players will be required to join their national teams to check their preparations in bilateral competitions.

Here are some players who might leave the 2024 IPL midway due to their international duties:

10. Joshua Little

Ireland’s left-arm pacer Joshua Little is a part of Gujarat Titans (GT) but he hasn’t got any matches from his team. The 24-year-old might leave GT’s camp after May 5 as his national side Ireland will host Pakistan from May 10 to May 14 for a three-match T20 International (T20I) series.

9. Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza has played two matches for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in this tournament. The 37-year-old won’t be available for Punjab in May as Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series and the veteran’s services will be essential for his national team, keeping the upcoming World Cup in mind.

8. Reece Topley

England pacer Reece Topley is a vital member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as he leads the team's pace attack. As England will host Pakistan for a four-match T20I series from May 22 to May 30, the 30-year-old might not render his service to the Challengers in final league games and the Playoffs.

7. Phil Salt

Phil Salt will also leave the Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp in mid-May as the wicketkeeper-batter must be a part of the English side that will lock horns with the Babar Azam-led Pakistan. Salt has played four matches for Kolkata in the competition and has scored 102 runs with a fifty against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

6. Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has looked stunning with the ball for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the competition. Currently, he is the Purple Cap holder with nine wickets in four games. The Bangla speedster will miss most of the second half of the 2024 season as his national team will host Zimbabwe from May 3 to May 12 for five T20Is. Following the conclusion of the home series, Bangladesh will travel to the United States for three T20Is from May 21 to May 25.

5. Liam Livingstone

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone is a crucial member of Punjab Kings (PBKS). The 30-year-old’s performance hasn’t been up to the mark in the competition, but PBKS will expect him to regain his form and help the team qualify for the Playoffs after ten years. In case, Punjab qualifies beyond the league round, Livingstone won’t be available as he will also be among those English players who will be in his country to serve his national side against Pakistan in the four-match T20I series.

4. Moeen Ali

England veteran Moeen Ali has played only one game for CSK in this tournament. Appearing against SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, he picked up 2/23 figures with the ball in his three overs. The 36-year-old will be crucial for England’s title defence in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Before the marquee T20I event, Moeen will also join the Jos Buttler-led team that will square off against Pakistan in the four-match T20I series.

3. Sam Curran

Sam Curran was the Player of the Series in the 2022 T20 World Cup, grabbing 13 wickets in six matches. His extraordinary bowling display in the T20I event got him a lucrative contract from PBKS in the 2023 IPL auction. This year, Curran has looked decent as an all-rounder for PBKS in the competition. If the Shikhar Dhawan-led side succeeds in crossing the league round, Curran won’t be a part of the campaign as he will have to fulfil his national duties with his appearance in the four-match T20I series against the Babar Azam-led team.

2. Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow has lacked consistency with his bat in this competition. Playing five encounters, he has scored only 81 runs with his best score of 42. However, noting the 34-year-old’s stature, Punjab won’t lose faith in the veteran and will want him to be at his best in the remaining matches in the round-robin stage. Like other English players, Bairstow’s availability will also be highly unlikely if PBKS reach the Playoffs.

1. Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler regained his form with his unbeaten ton against RCB at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Noting his scintillating performance against the Challengers, the RR team management will expect him to wreak havoc on bowlers in further contests as well. However, Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson will have to find someone to fill Buttler’s shoes if the 2008 champion side qualifies for the next round of the tournament, as England’s white-ball captain won’t be available with the team in the Playoffs to lead his national side against Pakistan.

Players who may leave IPL 2024 midway: