The IPL 2024 is only a week away. The tournament will kick-start on March 22 in Chennai, with defending champions CSK taking on RCB.
The IPL 2024 is a much-awaited tournament, with more hype and buzz than usual because more than half a dozen big-ticket players will return to the IPL after missing last year’s tournament.
Here are 6 players who missed last year and will now make their return in IPL 2024:
Rishabh Pant
The excitement among the fans is to see Rishabh Pant take the field again. Pant suffered a car crash in December 2022 and has since been out of action due to injuries. He has now been cleared to play and also don the wicket-keeper’s role. Pant will resume as Delhi Capitals’ captain.
From being in danger of barely surviving the car accident to now making his return to cricket – this is a story of a miracle.
Mitchell Starc
Another much-awaited IPL comeback this year is of Australia’s Mitchell Starc. The left-arm speedster played his two IPL seasons in 2014 and 2015 for RCB. Since then he’s missed the IPL due to rest, workload management, or injuries. Starc was bought by KKR for INR 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive IPL player ever.
Jasprit Bumrah
Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah missed IPL 2023 due to a back injury, for which he required surgery. He has been in incredible form since his return and will be the main man for MI as they seek a sixth IPL title.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer, too, missed IPL 2023 due to a back injury and needed surgery for the same. He had a terrific World Cup 2023 on his return and now will resume his position as KKR’s captain.
Pat Cummins
Australia Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins capped off his dream 2023 year with a contract worth INR 20.5 crore by SRH. He has also been named the new SRH captain, replacing Markram.
Cummins had opted out of IPL 2023, when he was with KKR, to manage his workload.
Jonny Bairstow
Punjab Kings’ Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of IPL 2023 because of a leg fracture that he had sustained late in 2022. One of the most destructive batters in the world, Bairstow will now return to the IPL.
