IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Ditch Their Team In The Tournament

IPL 2021 is set to start next month with the first match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9. Due to the Covid 19 situation in the country, this year’s IPL will be held at six venues and no team will get the home advantage during the tournament.

Eight teams Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals will once again compete in nail-biting matches to lift the trophy in the 14^th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Overseas players have great value in the Indian Premier League. In this year’s IPL, each team has 8 overseas players in their squad, which is the maximum limit. Only 4 overseas players are allowed in the playing 11 in every match and teams choose their best options for the same.

However, there is one uncertainty with overseas players that they might leave the tournament midway to play for their nation. This has happened in the past as players feel that their national duty is more important than playing in IPL. In the IPL this year, there are few players who might ditch their teams for national duty. Here we look at 5 players who can ditch their team in IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Ditch Their Team In The Tournament

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021. With his magnificent batting, he is one of the crucial players for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is one player who might leave the IPL this year due to national duty. ??New Zealand is scheduled to play two Test matches against England in June 2021.

Also Read: IPL 2021: 5 Oldest Players Who Will Play This Year

The Test series commences on June 2, 2021, with the first Test match at Lord’s in London. The IPL playoffs are scheduled to be played between May 25 to May 30, 2021, while the group stage will end on May 23. Kane Williamson might need to fly to England to lead the national team. In such a scenario, Kane Williamson might ditch Sunrisers Hyderabad for his national duty.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult will play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021. Boult is an important overseas bowler for Mumbai Indians. Last season in IPL 2020, The New Zealand pacer took 25 wickets in 15 games and was the third most wicket-taker in the tournament. After the ouster of Lasith Malinga from Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021, Trent Boult has become even more crucial for the team. However, he might have to miss some IPL matches to play against England.

With the New Zealand tour of England starting on June 2, Trent Boult might need to fly to England to play for New Zealand. This way, he might miss the playoffs matches of IPL 2021. Boult is an important part of the New Zealand Test team and he will also play in the ICC World Test Championship final against India. The series against England will also help New Zealand to prepare for the WTC final which is also scheduled to be played in England.

Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021 auction. The New Zealand pacer bagged Rs. 15 crore contract for IPL 2021. Along with Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson is also an important player for the New Zealand Test squad. For the series against England, Kyle Jamieson may also have to leave IPL 2021 midway to play for New Zealand.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Complete Schedule Of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) For The Tournament

England vs New Zealand two-match Test series in England is crucial for New Zealand as it will be followed by the WTC final against India. Hence, Kyle Jamieson is another player who can ditch his team Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.

Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 auction for Rs. 1 crore. Mustafizur Rahman has clearly mentioned in a recent interview that he prioritizes the national team more than IPL. Bangladesh is expected to play a Test series and ODI series against Sri Lanka in May 2021 but the dates have not been finalized yet.

The left-arm pacer Rahman had earlier said that if he is picked up in the Test series, he will skip IPL 2021 and play for his national team. So Rahman is another player who can ditch his team in IPL 2021.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is another player who can ditch his team Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021. South Africa is scheduled to play a home series against Pakistan. The series consists of 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. The ODI series will begin on April 2, 2021, followed by the T20I series. The final T20I match will be played on April 16, 2021. Due to this, Kagiso Rabada might miss the first week of IPL 2021.

Rabada had earlier clarified that the country comes first for him and he will arrive late in IPL 2021 due to the series against Pakistan. Hence, Rabada is another player who might ditch Delhi Capitals for the initial games in IPL 2021. Kagiso Rabada was the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2020 with 30 wickets and won the purple cap in the tournament.