IPL 2019: 5 Indian players who might miss the tournament

The preparations for the 12th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have started now. While a few teams have traded top players, some franchises opted to release some of the under-performing cricketers from the previous edition. IPL most probably will be organised outside India with the general elections in the country and is also lined up to start early with the ICC World Cup scheduled to commence on May 30.

The marquee T20 league might miss some of the top international players this time around as the cricket boards would want their ace cricketers to stay ahead of the showpiece event in England. The same is the case with the Men in Blue. They have been playing constantly and despite Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri raising concern over the scheduling, the Indian team has got no respite.

IPL is an intense tournament and like other teams, even the BCCI would want its cricketers to stay fit and prioritise to play in the World Cup next year. It will be interesting to see how franchises react to the situation if the top Indian players miss out the whole or major part of the season next year.

Here we bring you the list of five Indian players who might miss IPL 2019:

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India’s new ball bowler in all the formats, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is having fitness issues over the last few months. The selectors are already managing his workload ever since he had to miss out a few of the IPL matches last season. Bhuvi is struggling with his back throughout this year and is still not bowling at full tilt. Moreover, he aggravated the injury during the ODI series in England which kept him away from the Tests.

With the tours of Australia and New Zealand, Bhuvneshwar will have played a lot of cricket until the cash-rich tournament starts next year. He plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the franchise might miss him as the selectors might not permit him to play. There is a chance of his injury occurring again in case Bhuvi opts to play and then his World Cup ambitions might be jolted.

2. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will be on the top of the list of the selectors to make it to the World Cup squad. However, like his new-ball partner, even Bumrah is injury prone and with the amount of cricket Team India is playing, he will need rest ahead of the all-important World Cup next year. He is one of the best T20 bowlers but the Men in Blue will require him in the team as he adds a lot of value.

In the recently concluded ODI series against the Windies, India’s bowling attack changed completely after Bumrah’s inclusion and didn’t concede more than 260 runs in the last two matches combined. The youngster will definitely play all the matches in Australia and New Zealand irrespective of the format and will need some rest. The IPL duration is the best time when he can spend some time away from the game and even the BCCI would also want him to do the same.

Mumbai Indians, the franchise which Bumrah plays for, will have to make do with him in the upcoming season it seems and it will be a tough task for them.

3. Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav got injured earlier this year during the IPL season opener. The hamstring tear ruled him out of the whole season. He also missed the subsequent England tour as well. However, after making a comeback for the Asia Cup, the batting all-rounder went down once again in the final while taking a quick single. His body is quite injury prone and definitely one of the certainties to miss the top T20 league.

Jadhav adds huge value to the team with his batting at number five or six and then comes his bowling with the slingy action. Many have struggled against him and no wonder, Virat Kohli would want him as the sixth bowling option in England. It is only fair that Kedar opts to stay away from the game during the IPL and work on his fitness to play the whole World Cup.

4. Rohit Sharma

Now, this could be a huge blow for the Mumbai Indians. But it is very much possible that India’s vice-captain Rohit Sharma could opt to sit at least half of the IPL season next year. With the selectors opting to rest Kohli, Rohit has led Team India in every possible limited-overs game this year. A lot of cricket is coming even for him having recalled to the Test team against Australia.

By the time the marquee league starts, Rohit will have played 13 ODIs, 9 T20Is and possibly four Tests (if he is included in the playing XI) which is little too much cricket for the opener. Also, there is a threat of copping an injury during any of these matches as these will be high-intensity tours. Looking at all the repercussions, not many will be surprised if Rohit Sharma looks to rest himself during the IPL next year.

5. Virat Kohli

This move looks absolutely certain. Virat Kohli has been battling with injuries here and there this year. During IPL, he sustained a neck injury and had to miss out on a County stint and then had back issues during the England Test series. The selection panel led by MSK Prasad is already resting him a lot keeping the World Cup in mind. Moreover, Australia and New Zealand tours will be draining as a cricketer for him.

If Kohli goes on to play the IPL, he will definitely give his 100 percent and a possibility of sustaining an injury can’t be denied. He is the top player in the country and India would want their captain to be fully fit for the huge tournament coming up. There should be no surprise if Kohli sits out of the whole IPL 12. In that case, it will be interesting to see who will lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore.