Something Has To Give - Chris Woakes Ditches IPL 2021 For The Ashes And T20 World Cup

England bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes explained his decision to back out of the second leg of the IPL 2021 along with three other teammates. He stated that the schedule was jam-packed and in the era of bio-bubbles and quarantines, it was infeasible to play all the matches.

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, and Woakes pulled out of the IPL last week. The Englishmen were quite important to their franchises, but have rightfully prioritized their well-being. The IPL begins on September 19 and goes on till October 15, following which the T20 World Cup will begin in a couple of days.

The English side is then scheduled to tour Australia for the prestigious Ashes series. Woakes believes that the matches are clustered together and he had to decide on giving up at least one of them.

“With the World Cup and the Ashes, it would have been too much in a short space of time. I would have loved to have been part of the IPL but something has to give. A World Cup and an Ashes tour, it’s almost as big a winter as our summer was in 2019,” he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“It’s a shame with what’s going on Covid-wise” – Chris Woakes

Ever since covid-19 hit the world, sports events around the globe have been truncated quite often. Players find it hard to travel and stay in bio-secure bubbles as it takes a toll on their mental health. Earlier, Woakes’ teammate, Ben Stokes, announced an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his well-being.

“It’s a shame with what’s going on Covid-wise that it’s not going to be as normal as everyone would like. But, from a cricket perspective, it’s very exciting. My inclusion in the World Cup squad, I didn’t know was going to happen – especially a couple of months ago. The IPL has been rescheduled and thrown on to the end of our summer,” Woakes added.

Chris Woakes played for the Delhi Capitals in the first half of the tournament. He picked up five wickets in three matches but had to make way for Kagiso Rabada. DC has signed Australian player, Ben Dwarshius, as his replacement.

Also Read – IPL 2021: I Am Trying To Find Comfort Zone Of Movement At The Crease, Says AB de Villiers