Cricket fans were eagerly anticipating Will Jacks’ debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. The 24-year-old was set to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who secured his services for a whopping £325,000 in December. However, things took a rough turn for the talented all-rounder.
Jacks sustained a thigh injury while on a limited-overs tour of Bangladesh with the England team. After scans and consultation with a specialist, it has been confirmed that Jacks will not be able to take part in the IPL this year.
Results of Jacks’ Injury
Jacks made his England debut in all three formats this year, winning his T20I and Test caps in Pakistan before playing his first ODI in Bangladesh.
The player was expected to cover Glenn Maxwell in RCB’s middle order, but the Australian all-rounder has recovered from his injury and has been included in Australia’s squad for their upcoming ODI series in India.
His injury is also a setback for England, as he was in contention for a spot in the ODI squad for the upcoming World Cup. However, with the injury ruling him out of the IPL, Jacks will now have to focus on rehabilitation and getting fit in time for the county season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Status
As for RCB, they are currently in discussions with Michael Bracewell of New Zealand as a potential replacement for Jacks. Bracewell, who entered the auction with a base price of Rs 1 crore, failed to find any takers in the IPL auction.
Recently, however, Bracewell impressed everyone with his unbeaten knock of 140 runs off 78 balls in the first ODI against India in Hyderabad. Chasing a target of 350, New Zealand was at 131/6 in the 29th over when Bracewell started his counter-attack with Mitchell Santner.
The pair put up 162 runs off 102 balls for the seventh wicket, but New Zealand lost the match by just 12 runs.
RCB’s worries don’t end with Jacks’ injury, as Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s availability is also uncertain. Hazlewood had been part of Australia’s squad for the Test series in India but was ruled out of the tour before the third Test due to fitness issues.
With Australia having qualified for the World Test Championship final and playing in the Ashes right after that match, Hazlewood could reconsider his participation in the latter stages of the IPL if he makes it to the tournament.
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Will Jacks is not the only player out of the IPL because of an injury. Delhi Capitals’ wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is recovering from injuries sustained during a motor vehicle accident. Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson also got sidelined by an injury.
But these setbacks haven’t dampened team morale, and they are all set to battle it out on the field. Axar Patel, the Indian all-rounder, has been named the vice-captain of the Delhi Capitals, and Australian batsman David Warner has replaced Pant as the captain. “Rishabh has been a terrific leader for Delhi Capitals, and we’re all going to miss having him around,” said Warner.
Even with all of these players missing out on the tournament, there’s still plenty of hype for the IPL, as the 16th edition of the tournament is set to start in late March 2023. With the reigning champions, Gujarat Titans, ready to defend their title, every franchise is geared up to give them a tough time.
