Top 5 overseas players who might miss next IPL season due to World Cup duties

The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier has come to an end and the buzz around the next edition of the IPL has already started. IPL 2019 is set to commence in March next year. The tournament is already bagging a lot of limelight for a couple of reasons. The first reason is about the potential shifting of venue of the tournament. The marquee T20 league clashes with the dates of the general elections in India.

Hence, it will not be surprising to see the tournament shifted out of India, the same as it was done in 2009 and 2014. The next reason, perhaps the bigger of the two, is the timing of the league just before the ICC World Cup 2019. The enormity of the World Cup needs no introduction. All players wish to win the World Cup for their sides. At the same time, it is also a known fact that the IPL is a very long tournament and it can take a heavy toll on any cricketer.

The IPL 2019 commences on March 29 and will run on till May 19. And the WC 2019 is scheduled to begin on May 30 and the finals will be played on July 14 next year. In this backdrop, there is a high possibility of the cricket boards trying to save their marquee players from fatigue and hence, asking them to skip some part of the IPL next year. The same is very much applicable to the Indian big names as well.

Here are the top 5 overseas players who can miss IPL 2019 for World Cup duties:

Kane Williamson – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Kane Williamson is a big match player. The elegant batsman recently led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the finals of the IPL 2018. He was excellent as a captain and was even better as a batsman. Williamson won the Orange Cap this year. However, with the World Cup duties on the cards next season, the New Zealand Cricket will be cautious about their management of Williamson.

He is set to lead the New Zealand team in the World Cup and hence, needs to be at his A game when he enters the tournament. Even if he misses some games of the Indian Premier League next year, the SRH camp might not panic a great deal. They will have their regular skipper, David Warner, back in the scheme of things next year.

Ben Stokes – Rajasthan Royals

English all-rounder Ben Stokes has made a serious name for himself in the world cricket in the last couple of years. He is the most sought after player in the T20 league and the Indian league is no exception. Stokes was phenomenal for the Rising Pune Supergiant last year.

He, however, failed to replicate his heroics in the Royals outfit this season. Next year, he might not get to play all the matches again in the tournament. The ECB is very particular about their players prioritizing international cricket ahead of anything else. Hence, in all likelihood, Stokes will be recalled early to prepare for World Cup 2019.

Faf du Plessis – Chennai Super Kings

Veteran South African batsman Faf du Plessis was a part of the victorios Chennai Super Kings camp this season. He did not play all the games but managed to make an impact when it mattered the most. He was the Player of the Match in the important Qualifier 1 of IPL 2018.

Next year, the South African skipper might give the tournament a miss or at least skip a few games to ensure he is fit and running to lead South Africa at WC 2019. The desperation of the Proteas to win the World Cup is known to all. Also, with no more AB de Villiers in the setup, it is worth noting that Faf du Plessis will be the main man for his side at the ICC event.

Rashid Khan – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Team Afghanistan recently won the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2018 to seal their berth in the World Cup 2019. Well, the Afghanistani spirit will certainly not end just there. They will try to create some upsets in the tournament to prove their mettle in the season. And if they wish to do so, they will know that the likes of Mujeeb Rahman and Rashid Khan will hold the key for them. R

ashid, in particular, will be their main weapon in the tournament. He is the best bowler in the limited overs cricket at the moment. If Rashid is asked to rest before World Cup 2019, he will have to miss some of the IPL games for SRH next season. Needless to concede, it will be a big blow for SRH camp as Rashid has been a top performer for them.

Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler is an impact player in the limited overs cricket. In the IPL 2018, he hit five fifties in a row to equal the record for most consecutive fitties in the IPL. Buttler accumulated 548 runs in the season to be the leading run scorer for Rajasthan Royals.

He is expected to play a big role for them next year as well. However, with the World Cup round the corner, the ECB would want to have their new found finisher in England for the preparatory camp. Even this season, he was recalled by the board to prepare and play in the Test matches against Pakistan.

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