IPL 2021: List of players who will be missing the first few games of the tournament

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to kick-start the much-awaited 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from April 9 in Chennai. However, before the commencement of the marquee event, the IPL franchises have been dealt with a massive blow as a handful of their main players are unlikely to be unavailable for selection for their first game in IPL 2021.

While some players have contracted the novel coronavirus and are under self-isolation, many overseas stars are completing their mandatory seven-day quarantine period before they will be allowed to join their respective IPL training and practice camps.

The inaugural match of the T20 Championship will be played between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The Challengers will be missing the services of Adam Zampa and Finn Allen in their first game as Zampa has taken some time off for his wedding while Allen arrived in India after participating in the T20I series against Bangladesh, which concluded on April 1. 

The ace all-rounder Daniel Sams tested positive for Covid-19 while serving his quarantine and will be therefore missing the action till he completes his ten days isolation and returns negative reports at least two times. Mumbai, on the other hand, can miss the presence of Quinton de Kock and Adam Milne in the first game as the two arrived in India late and will have to undergo quarantine. 

Rajasthan Royals suffer the biggest blow ahead of IPL 2021

Speaking about Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, the two teams will be missing their South African pacers as they arrived in India late after participating in the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan and are yet to complete their mandatory quarantine period. DC has two Proteas pacers including Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in their squad while Lungi Ngidi will be plying his trade for the Super Kings.

Out of all the aforementioned teams, Rajasthan Royals have suffered the biggest blow as their ace speedster Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the first half of the IPL 2021 owing to his elbow injury and the surgery he underwent on his finger in March. There is uncertainty over the availability of Jofra in the second half too as his traveling to India depends on the time his both injuries take to heal.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are the two teams who will be playing with their full-strength side right from their first game as all their players have assembled in the camp and are done with their quarantine too. 

Here’s team-wise list of players who might miss first few games:

Mumbai Indians – Adam Milne, Quinton de Kock

Royal Challengers Bangalore – Finn Allen, Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams

Chennai Super Kings – Lungi Ngidi

Delhi Capitals – Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

Rajasthan Royals – Jofra Archer