Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer: Most notable absentees in IPL 2023

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to be commence on March 31 when defending champions Gujarat Titans take on four-time champions Chennai Super Kings. However, big names like Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shreyas Iyer will miss the season due to injuries.
In addition to these Indian stars, many franchises will miss some of their key players for the upcoming series. Who are they ? Let’s find out-
Delhi CapitalsThe capitals will miss their skipper and wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant, which will be a massive blow for the side. Pant met with a horrific road accident that resulted in a ligament tear in December 2022, and since then, he has been out of action. Pant has played a crucial role for the Delhi Capitals with the bat in the middle order too. He scored over 2800 runs at a strike rate of 147.7 in the IPL. In his absence, the Capitals have given the reigns to the Aussie opener David Warner. However, the franchise has not announced any replacement for Pant yet.
Mumbai IndiansJasprit Bumrah has played a vital part in Mumbai’s success. However, the star bowler will miss this season due to an injury. Bumrah, who reportedly recently underwent surgery on his injury-prone lower back in New Zealand, might be out of action for most of this year. Bumrah is one of the most lethal exponents of the yorker at death. In his absence, Mumbai Indians need to rejig their bowling plans. They will hope English star man Jofra Archer can fill the massive void.
Jhye Richardson will be another fast bowler who will miss the upcoming season for the Mumbai Indians. The Australian pacemen went surgery for his hamstring issues earlier this year. Mumbai did not announce the replacement for either of the bowlers. The injury to these two has put Mumbai in a tricky situation.
Kolkata Knight RidersShreyas Iyer is one of the most formidable batters in the IPL and a good leader. The right-hander will likely undergo back surgery and will miss the IPL season, and the WTC final followed. His absence will be felt massively the Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise brought the star batter for 12.25 Crores in the last auction. Knight Riders have not announced either the side’s skipper for the next season or the replacement of Iyer as a batter.
Chennai Super KingsThe franchise, in a mini-auction, brought Kyle Jamison. However, the fast bowler won’t be playing this season due to a back injury, and he is about to get surgery, which will sideline him for four months. However, Chennai Super Kings have named a replacement in Sisanda Magala. Mukesh Choudhary, who impressed everyone with his ability to move the new ball and bowled aggressively last season for the Chennai side, is another name missing out. He too won’t be seen in a yellow jersey due to an injury and will miss the entire season leaving the Super Kings slightly short in the fast-bowling department.
Punjab KingsJonny Bairstow is arguably one of the most destructive batters in white ball cricket. He has played some of the best aggressive knocks in the IPL in the past. However, he underwent surgery on a broken leg and dislocated ankle last October and hasn’t been issued the NOC for the season after not wholly recovering from the injuries. Punjab has named Mathew Short as his replacement.
Royal Challengers BangloreRajat Patidhar has been in fabulous form in domestic cricket for the last couple of seasons. His ton against the Lucknow Super Giants last season in the Eliminator is one to savour. The 29-year-old Patidar, who played a crucial role in the tournament’s final stages for RCB last season, is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
In addition to Patidhar, RCB will also miss the services of Australian speedster Josh Hazelwood as he continues to recover from Achilles tendonitis, adding to the Faf du Plessis-led team’s woes ahead of the league starting in less than a week. Royal Challengers have not named a replacement for either of the players.

Rajasthan RoyalPrasidh Krishna bowled exceptionally well last season, picking 19 wickets from 17 games and helping the Royals reach the final of the IPL. This time the star pacemen will miss the entire season following surgery for a lumbar stress fracture in his spine. The Royals brought the promising fast bowler for a whooping sum of 10 crores. He will be a massive miss for the side, and the Royals are yet to name a replacement. Sandeep Sharma will represent Rajasthan Royals this season after being signed as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna