Two of the best batters in world cricket have revealed their plan to skip IPL 2024 – as Hardik Pandya makes an emotional return to his first franchise in Mumbai.
Ben Stokes and Joe Root have revealed that they will miss the Indian Premier League next year in a bid to better manage their workloads, following a gruelling six-month period in which they have contested the Ashes and been part of England’s dismal World Cup failure.
Meanwhile, Pandya has sent shockwaves through the competition by swapping the Gujarat Titans for the Mumbai Indians – just two seasons after skippering the Titans to the trophy.
Mumbai Move
Neither Stokes nor Root played a particularly big part in IPL 2023, so their absences will do little to move the needle.
But Hardik’s switch to Mumbai is significant, and it will be interesting to see how the market reacts for those betting on sports like cricket. The Titans are currently joint favorites at +500 with Chennai Super Kings for the 2024 edition, but that was before news of the India star’s move really took hold.
Indeed, many sports betting tips will now switch their focus to Mumbai (+600), with Lucknow Super Giants also of interest to many at the same odds.
Root only batted once for the Rajasthan Royals earlier this year, while Stokes was the most expensive player acquired by CSK at auction for some 16.25 crores (around $2.1 million) – yet he ended up playing only twice due to injury.
Pandya, however, remains a key figure in the IPL. Still only 30, he captained Gujarat to two finals and displayed his trademark clean hitting in 2023 – averaging 31.45 with the bat at a strike rate of some 136.76.
Mumbai lost out to Gujarat in Qualifier 2 at IPL 2023, but they will be looking to go at least one better in 2024 with Pandya set to link up with Rohit Sharma and co in an explosive batting lineup.
All Change
As the list of retained players for IPL 2024 was released in November, it was incredible to see how many prominent internationals found themselves without a franchise.
World Cup winner Josh Hazelwood has been released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, where Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga were also shown the exit. Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, have let as many as six international stars go – Shardul Thakur, Shakib Al Hasan and Lockie Ferguson chief amongst them.
A host of Englishmen will be looking for new IPL employment, with Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan among those released by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, while Jofra Archer’s ongoing battle with injury and fitness has left Mumbai with no alternative but to say goodbye to the 8 crore talent.
It was a bad day for tall seam bowlers too, with Jason Holder, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee also released from their respective contracts.
Delhi Capitals have made a retention day statement of their own – this time in the identity of the players they have kept on. Rishabh Pant hasn’t played a game of cricket in a year since suffering serious injuries in a car crash, but they announced that the wicketkeeper-batsman has been retained; raising hopes that his rehabilitation is going well.
Rohit and MS Dhoni have also been retained by Mumbai and CSK, which also puts an end to speculation that they were both planning to retire from IPL action ahead of the 2024 edition.
The auction for next year’s tournament will take place on December 19, with those currently without a franchise set to go under the hammer. Will anybody pick up a bargain that helps them all the way to the trophy?
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