NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings suffered a major blow as their explosive top-order batter Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the entire upcoming season, which begins from March 31.
Bairstow, who suffered a freak injury in September last year and had to undergo surgery, has failed to recover in time for the two-month long tournament.
The franchise shared the news on social media on Saturday and named uncapped Australian batsman Matthew Short as Bairstow's replacement.
The Englishman was forced to undergo surgery on a broken leg and dislocated ankle after a freak injury suffered on the golf course which ruled the 33-year-old out of the Twenty20 World Cup where England won the title.
"We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season," the team said in a statement.
Aussie Short, on the other hand was named player of the tournament in the Big Bash League last season. The opening batsman scored 458 runs for the Adelaide Strikers.
(With inputs from Reuters)
