IPL 2023: The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to be kicked off on 31st March 2023 as Chennai and Gujarat will play in the first match. The tournament will feature 70 league-stage matches and the teams are split into two groups. As the 10 sides gear up for the mega action, Rajasthan Royals' dreams to lift another IPL title have been hit with a blow as a star bowler is reportedly ruled out of the tournament.
India and Rajasthan Royals' bowler Prasidh Krishna has reportedly been ruled out of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League 2023. Krishna, who last played competitive cricket in August 2022 for India, is suffering from a lumbar stress fracture and will require surgery to get healed. The 26-year-old is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy.
Krishna had recently posted a picture of himself on a hospital bed and wrote, "Gutted to be missing out on so much cricket. Be back soon!" The 26-year-old last played for the country in India's away ODI series against Zimbabwe and is out of action since then. He was picked for India A's white-ball series against New Zealand A in September but was replaced by Shardul Thakur due to a back injury. The right-arm quick bowler was expected to regain fitness ahead of the Ranji Trophy knockouts in January-February. However as the injury has not healed up completely, he is advised for surgery.
The 26-year-old was a crucial part of the Royals' second-placed finish in the 2022 edition of the tournament. He was the second joint-highest wicket-taker for his franchise. The 2022 edition was also Royals' first final appearance since 2008. He picked 19 wickets in 17 games, including a 3/22 in qualifier 2. Krishna was also on the radar of India's national selectors in the ODI setup but continuous injury issues have kept him at bay for a long run in the team. He has featured in 14 ODIs, where he has taken 24 wickets at an average of 23.92.
