IPL 2023: Liam Livingstone Injury Update – Punjab Kings have received a significant boost with Liam Livingstone set to join the squad next week. A vital player for the Shikhar Dhawan-led outfit, the English all-rounder is still under rehab but will feature sometime soon for the Kings. Kagiso Rabada meanwhile is also available for the next game, when they travel to Hyderabad to face the Sunrisers. Follow SRH vs PBKS LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
Punjab Kings made it two wins in two following their hard-fought win over the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. While Dhawan and Co sealed the deal, the absence of Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone, their star players was telling. Sikandar Raza and Nathan Ellis have dutifully filled in, but Punjab will welcome their big-money signings sooner than later.
“There is no issue with Liam Livingstone’s NOC. He is undergoing rehab and will join us next week. Rabada is with us, there are no injury or workload concerns,” a senior PBKS official told InsideSport.IN
Liam Livingstone hasn’t played competitive cricket since December 2022 when he suffered the injury. He is still undergoing rehab and is expected to join the squad next week. Unlike Jonny Bairstow, Livingstone is expected to receive a clearance from the ECB to play in the IPL 2023.
During his absence, Liam has actively cheered on Punjab Kings on social media. On Thursday, he was seen running around the Old Trafford Cricket ground while Lancashire was involved in a county game against Surrey.
Soon… 🙏🙏 https://t.co/JJzGZWWd3k
— Liam Livingstone (@liaml4893) April 5, 2023
PBKS IPL 2023 Squad: Livingstone to join next week, Rabada available
- Liam Livingstone will miss a few more games as he undergoes rehab.
- The England star will join the squad next week and PBKS expect him to be cleared by ECB
- Kagiso Rabada has joined the squad and will be available for the Sunrisers game
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa also is fit and likely to be available for the Hyderabad clash.
PBKS splashed Rs 11.5 crore on Liam Livingstone in IPL 2022 Auctions. He was the second-leading run-scorer for the team, smashing 437 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 182.08. Among players with over 100 runs in the season, only Dinesh Karthik had a better strike rate. He also chipped in with 6 wickets.
“Liam Livingstone will arrive in India in mid-April within the next couple of weeks. As for the Ireland Test, any player selected in that squad will return ahead of practice around 28/29 May,” said an ECB statement.
Rabada recently featured in the ODI series against the Netherlands and only arrived in India earlier this week. The South African speedster will be available for selection in the next game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on 9th April. Rabada was Punjab’s ace pacer last year, picking up 23 wickets in just 13 games.
As for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan batter is also expected to be fit for the next game. The left-hander was hit on his hand while at the non-striker’s end. He did not take further part in the match but confirmed there were no fractures following the hit.
So happy for the win @PunjabKingsIPL! Thank you all for checking up on me. The X-rays have cleared me of any broken bones/fractures! 🙏Plenty of ice needed but I’m doing fine! ❤️
— Bhanuka Rajapaksa (@BhanukaRajapak3) April 5, 2023
“Bhanuka Rajapaksa had a muscular injury, so he should be alright for the next game, hopefully,” Wasim Jaffer, PBKS batting coach, said after the game.
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