With the Indian Premier League just two days adrift, but the injuries to Indian cricketers have already hit all the franchises hard well before the season has begun.
Even as the teams are looking to bond, the injury bug has left the management grappling and they are on the lookout for replacements.
Owing to the hectic International schedule, many Indian cricketers are either taking a precautionary break or have been ruled out of the tournament owing to injuries. The BCCI is treading the path with caution as after the IPL, the Indian team embarks on yet another gruelling season which begins with the Champions Trophy.
Here in this list, we take a look at 5 Indian cricketers who will not feature in this year’s IPL.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017 Schedule: Full Time Table with venue ground details, PDF Download
#5 Ravichandran Ashwin
India’s talisman in the just concluded home season has been ruled out of the Rising Pune Supergiant squad for the entire season as he is suffering from a sports hernia.
The off-spinner who bowled more than 700 overs in the home season deserves a break as he will once again be vital to India’s chances in the upcoming season, more so in England at the Champions Trophy.
"Mr. R Ashwin the all-rounder has reported groin pain and has been advised 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation, which he will undergo and hence will not be available for the upcoming IPL season," the BCCI said in a statement.
Although his absence will hurt Pune, Indian cricket can breathe a sigh of relief as the match-winner will come back revitalised after this well-earned break.
#4 Murali Vijay
Much like his Tamil Nadu mate, Indian Test opener Murali Vijay too has been ruled out of the IPL owing to a shoulder injury and will go under the knife during these months.
The opener played with a persistent shoulder injury right through the home season and to even the Bangalore test against Australia owing to the aforementioned injury,
His absence comes a big jolt for Kings XI Punjab as he was the man in form and could have been a glue at the top of the order. Also, he was freed from captaincy duties which could have liberated his game this season.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja
The World number 1 test bowler too will miss the initial weeks of the IPL as he has been asked to rest for a period of two weeks to recuperate from issues in his spinning finger. He can only take part for the Gujarat Lions from mid-April.
After having been at the centre of India’s tremendous home season march, Jadeja needs to recover before the all-important Champions Trophy as his form with both bat and ball will be crucial to the defending champions plan in England.
"Ravindra Jadeja has been advised rest for 2 weeks to recuperate. Jadeja has issues with the spinning finger and he will recover during the initial phase when his team will play the first and second match of IPL 2017," the BCCI said.
#2 KL Rahul
The flamboyant right-hander emerged as one of the biggest gains for India after the Australian series and his consistency at the top of the order was a soothing sight for Indian fans. However, he has been ruled out of the IPL owing to a shoulder injury which kept nagging him right through the series.
Although he played the series in pain, the Karnataka batter will now head to London to undergo a surgery, and his availability comes a big set back to the Royal Challengers Bangalore as they have lost not only a reliable top order batsman but have lost a wicket-keeping option.
#1 Virat Kohli
The biggest setback to the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be the unavailability of their captain and best batsman Virat Kohli who has not yet recovered from the shoulder injury which he sustained during the 3rd Test match against Australia in Ranchi.
"The Indian captain will undergo rehabilitation after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder. His recovery will be assessed in the second week of April to determine an exact return to play date for IPL 2017," the BCCI said in a release.
His loss will be a big blow to RCB which is already reeling with the injury to KL Rahul and also with the vague nature of Ab de Villiers' injury.
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