IPL 2019: 3 stars who could miss the tournament due to injury
IPL 2019 is approaching soon, and is due to start on the 23rd of March. In addition to the general buzz and importance associated with the tournament, the IPL this year will have added significance as it precedes the biggest tournament in world cricket: the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
The year's IPL is significant for two reasons. Firstly, it will serve as a means for the players to get match practice in high pressure situations. Secondly - and more importantly in the context of this article - it will be essential for players to manage their workloads and maintain their fitness for the World Cup.
This extra importance means that some of the biggest stars in the sport might be tempted to err on the side of caution. Players coming back from injury will look to protect their bodies for the World Cup even if means missing out on the cricketing and financial rewards of the IPL.
Here's a look at 3 players who could miss this year's IPL due to injury-related issues:
#3 Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan, a veteran of the IPL and widely regarded as the finest cricketer to have come out of Bangladesh, has regularly featured in the IPL since 2011. He was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders till 2017 and lifted two titles with them, and then contributed to the Sunrisers Hyderabad's run to the final in the IPL 2018.
However, in the final of the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League, he sustained a finger injury which is set to put him out of Bangladesh's next few international assignments.
Shakib will undoubtedly be Bangladesh's most important player at the World Cup. And given that the Bangladesh Cricket Board has already shown its stance on the matter by prohibiting certain players (such as Mustafizur Rahman) from competing in T20 leagues for fitness reasons, it looks likely that the Sunrisers Hyderabad will have to do without their ace all-rounder for this year's tournament.