The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched cricket leagues in India. There are many franchises which have outstanding players with extraordinary capabilities. As of 2022, ten franchises are playing the game. Recently, in the 2022 Auction, the players were shuffled when the teams were told that only four members can be retained.
Over the years, many players have exited the tournament midway due to personal issues, injuries and much more. Playing in a supremely competitive environment like IPL which lasts for more than two months can be taxing on the body and mind. There have been many instances over the years with players moving out of the contest midway. Over the last few years, with the matches being played amid the tight bio-bubble ambience, this scenario has been on the rise of players opting out of the series after it has started.
We give you names of the major players who have done so over the years.
Mohammed Shami: Talented Indian seam-bowler, Mohammed Shami was playing a part in Delhi Daredevils (currently Delhi Capitals [DC]) in the years 2014-2018. He suffered a knee injury in 2015 and had to withdraw from the ongoing IPL season in that year. Currently, he is playing in the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise.
Aaron Finch: Australian opener Aaron Finch played a part in the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the year 2015, when he suffered a hamstring injury which led him to be ruled out of the tournament, midway. He is presently playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2022 version of the tournament.
Lasith Malinga: Veteran Sri-Lankan, Lasith Malinga was playing in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in the 2016 version of the IPL, but he suffered a knee injury wherein he was forced to drop out midway. He has presently retired from the IPL and is coaching the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise as a fast-bowling coach.
Mitchell Starc: Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc who was playing in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad in 2016, was rocked by an ankle injury when he could not play the remaining season of the contest. Mitchell recovered but is not playing in the ongoing season of IPL as he opted out.
KL Rahul: The Indian vice-captain in all formats of play was all set to open for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2017 but unexpected shoulder damage stopped him from playing the rest of the season. He is currently the captain of one of the latest IPL team editions, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Kagiso Rabada: The South-African speedster who was bought by Delhi Daredevils in the year 2018 suffered a back injury that put him off the contest. Rabada now plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS).
David Warner: Cricket Australia served a one year ban to David Warner the prolific Australian batsman after he along with Steve Smith were found guilty in the ball-tampering issue at the Cape Town test in 2018.
Suresh Raina: The Chennai Super Kings batsman opted out of the IPL in 2020 owing to personal reasons after his family faced a tragedy. He returned in 2021, but had a bad season with the bat. He is presently unsold in the 2022 season and not playing.
Ben Stokes: Stokes was doing really well for Rajasthan Royal in 2021 when an unfortunate fielding accident on his finger forced him to withdraw from the competition midway. He has refrained from being part of IPL this year.
R Ashwin: Ashwin who was with the Delhi Capitals team in 2021, was forced to withdraw midway after the second wave of the Covid pandemic jolted many members of his family. His family and extended family were fighting for their lives with Covid, and he had to go back to be of support to them.
There are many other players who have left IPL midway over the years includes names like Lendl Simmons, John Hastings, Faf Du Plessis,
Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Pat Cummins, Kane Williamson, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer.
Certainly, cricket is a tough man’s play! At times, it is difficult to survive the constant pressure!! What say, folks?