The Champions League, as it is, is not a highly popular tournament, and the chances of it grabbing eyeballs is even lesser this year as a number of big names have been ruled out of the tournament. Here’s a look at some of the names who will be missing in action at the CLT20.
JP Duminy: He is the latest to join the list of injured players. Duminy was to play for Cape Cobras in the CLT20. The all-rounder’s absence will be a big blow for the South African side since he is one of the senior-most players in the team, and has played a major role in the team’s success. Both with the bat and ball, as well as in the field, Duminy could have excelled and put his team in great positions. Duminy was troubled with a knee injury during the tri-series in Zimbabwe, and the same has become the reason for him being ruled out.
Mitchell Johnson: The Aussie pacer, who currently turns out for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, also won’t turn out for the team which finished runners-up in the Indian Premier League. Johnson is having to undergo treatment for an injury in the tip of a rib, and hence won’t be available for Kings XI Punjab. Johnson was experiencing some pain in the rib during the ODI series in Zimbabwe, and following medical advice, Cricket Australia have decided not to allow Johnson to be part of the CLT20 at this stage, so that he can be prepared for his future international assignments.
Morne Morkel: The South African pacer won’t be seen in action for Kolkata Knight Riders during the event. Morkel has been ruled out of action for the event due to a shoulder injury. Morkel has actually hurt his rotator cuff. Shakib Al Hasan is another big name who won’t be seen in action as BCB cancelled in NOC due to disciplinary issues.
Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians’ captain was ruled out of the event even before it kicked off. Sharma had been ruled out due to multiple injuries. Sharma had to earlier miss a majority of India’s ODI tour of England due to a fracture to his finger. Further, he has been diagnosed with a shoulder problem, which completely put out any chance he had of participating in the tournament.
Praveen Kumar: The out of favour Indian pacer won’t be seen taking any further part in the event. Even if he was fit, he couldn’t have been in action as his franchise, Mumbai Indians, have been knocked out. Playing for Mumbai, he sustained an injury to his right shoulder during the qualifying game against Lahore Lions that was played at Raipur. Praveen bowled three overs in the match that Mumbai went on to lose by six wickets. He was subsequently not included for the second qualifier against Southern Express.
--By A Cricket Analyst
