Chris Woakes reveals heartbreaking reason behind not playing a single match in IPL 2024

England allrounder Chris Woakes has revealed the heartbreaking reason that has forced him to stay away from cricket for months now. 

The fast-bowling allrounder has not played a single competitive game since February this year. His last appearance came for Sharjah Warriors in the International League T20 in the UAE earlier this year. Chris Woakes was a part of the Punjab Kings squad for the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2024. However, he did not play a single game in the tournament.

Even though PBKS struggled throughout the tournament, they decided against including Chris Woakes in the playing eleven even once. And the England allrounder has revealed that reason that might have played a role in it. Chris Woakes, on Friday (June 1), revealed that he was mourning the death of his father.

Taking to Instagram, the England star wrote that his father passed away at the beginning of May when the IPL was in full swing.

"The last month has been the most challenging of my life when unfortunately my dad passed away at the beginning of May.

"I’ve spent the last few weeks with the people most important to me, my family. We’re all obviously grieving and trying to get through what is undoubtedly the hardest moment in our lives. It’s times like this that perspective is at its greatest," wrote Chris Woakes.

Chris Woakes on returning to action:

Left out of England's squad for the T20 World Cup, Chris Woakes confirmed that he would return to action soon in domestic cricket. However, he did not mention any date for his comeback and stated that he would be returning to action when the time is right for him as well as his family.

"I will be back playing cricket for Warwickshire, who my dad loved dearly, when the time is right for me and my family.

"I know playing cricket for Warwickshire and England made my dad incredibly proud. I look forward to doing that again in the near future," wrote Chris Woakes.

After making his debut in international cricket in 2011, Chris Woakes has represented England in all three formats. So far, he has played 48 Tests, 122 ODIs, and 33 T20Is, scoring more than 3000 runs in addition to taking over 300 wickets across formats.