Just over a week remains for the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to get under way as the eight franchise get ready to battle it out for the top prize.
The biggest international and Indian stars will be on display in the month-long tournament which should serve as the perfect appetizer ahead of the World Cup.
There are, however, plenty of injury concerns for franchises heading into the competition. Here, we look at the major stars who are not completely fit currently.
STEVE SMITH – RAJASTHAN ROYALS
The suspended Australia batsman is making his return to the competition after missing out in 2018 due to his role in the ball-tampering controversy. The upcoming edition will be of significant importance for Smith given that it will serve as his preparation board for the upcoming World Cup.
However, the former Australia skipper is a major doubt for the early stages of the competition having just recovered from an elbow surgery. Smith had his elbow under braces for six weeks and it remains to be seen how quickly he can recover his match fitness after being sidelined for a significant spell.
Smith is recovering from an elbow surgery.
SHAKIB AL HASAN – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
The Bangladesh skipper will be the sole representative from his nation in the upcoming edition and is expected to play a major role for the Sunrisers. Although he has been granted a NOC (No Objection Certificate) to participate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Shakib is currently nursing a finger injury.
The all-rounder picked up the injury during the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and was subsequently ruled out of the national team’s tour of New Zealand.
Shakib is expected to miss the early stages of the competition at least.
HARDIK PANDYA – MUMBAI INDIANS
The star India all-rounder has been a key performer for Mumbai Indians over the last four years. Pandya has only just resumed training after recovering from a back injury which kept him out of India’s recently concluded ODI series against Australia.
It is not the first time the all-rounder has had back trouble in recent times with the initial injury surfacing during the Asia Cup in September last year. With Pandya expected to play a crucial role for India in the World Cup, his workload is set to be carefully monitored in the IPL.
Although he might make his return to the cricket pitch soon, expect Pandya to be given a rest from time to time.
Pandya has been struggling with back issues.
KANE WILLIAMSON – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
The New Zealand skipper is doubtful for the early stages of the competition having sustained a muscle tear during his side’s second Test against Bangladesh. The injury had ruled out the Kiwi stalwart of the now cancelled final Test at Christchurch and it remains to be seen how quickly he can recover.
The injury was described as a rare but ultimately not a serious one by the New Zealand team management so hopefully Kane will be back in action soon. The right-hander’s superb captaincy was highly lauded during Hyderabad’s run to the final last year and he will be expected to play a big role in the upcoming edition as well.
SUNIL NARINE – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Sunil Narine has become instrumental in Kolkata Knight Rider’s most successful campaigns in the IPL, but the West Indies all-rounder could miss the start of the tournament.
Narine has been struggling with a finger injury he picked up in the BPL and has subsequently missed the entire PSL. The Windies man was initially only expected to miss the early parts of the PSL and the latest development will concern the Kolkata management.
Narine has missed the entire PSL with injury.
ANDRE RUSSELL – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Narine is not the only Windies all-rounder whose fitness Kolkata are currently sweating on, with Andre Russell too being a major concern.
Russell has been plagued with knee issues in recent times and has suffered another recent setback in the T20 series between West Indies and England. The all-rounder was withdrawn from the squad just hours before the start of the first T20 after suffering an adverse reaction to a medical procedure he underwent in Dubai.
With both Narine and Russell on the injury boat, Kolkata have their task cut out in the early stages of the IPL.
AB DE VILLIERS – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
Royal Challengers Bangalore fans will be hoping some AB de Villiers magic can finally end their wait for a maiden IPL title, but the South African comes into the tournament with an injury cloud over his head.
The 35-year-old was recently in action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Lahore Qalandars, but pulled out of the Karachi-leg of the tournament due to a back injury. How serious De Villiers’ injury is not known, but the South African did express his optimism about being fit in time for the IPL.
