Before IPL 2023, Punjab Kings may take a big hit. Because there is confusion about the availability of the team’s star hitter, Johnny Bairstow. The sixteenth season of begins after about three weeks. At the same time, Punjab Kings batsman Johnny Bairstow is awaiting medical clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This wicket-keeper batsman for the England cricket team is recovering from the injury sustained last year. Bairstow recently shared a post on social media in which he is seen running.
Johnny Bairstow was injured on September 2 of last year. Bairstow suffered an injury a few days before the third test match against South Africa. During that time he had slipped while playing golf with his friends in Yorkshire. So he broke his left leg. Apart from this, his ankle was also sprained. Following the injury, he underwent surgery in London and his ligament was also treated.
Johnny Bairstow has been away from cricket for almost seven months. He hasn’t played for England in any format since he was injured in September last year. He was not part of the England team during the T20 World Cup played in Australia in 2022. Apart from this, he also missed the tour of Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh. At the same time, he was unable to play in the ILT20 league where he was part of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders team.
Earlier, the ECB had indicated that Johnny Bairstow could return in IPL 2023, which starts on March 31. Punjab Kings medical staff are in constant contact with Bairstow and they hope to recover. Bairstow’s availability for IPL, his workload capacity and will he be fully or partially available? Punjab Kings is waiting for the ECB’s response on the matter.