England all-rounder Chris Woakes withdraws from IPL

England all-rounder and Delhi Capitals’ overseas player Chris Woakes has withdrawn from the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL) to focus on English season. Birmingham-born cricketer was picked by DC for his base price of INR 1.50 crore (£160,000) at December’s auction decided to take a rest at the end of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka to get fit ahead of England’s home Test summer.

Beginning March 19, England will be playing a 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka followed by a six home Tests next summer against West Indies and Pakistan starting from June 4. Woakes has not played a T20 since August 2018 and last played a T20I for England in November 2015. He played one Test in the recent 3-1 series win over South Africa and one in New Zealand before Christmas.

The 31-year-old played is former Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore players that appeared in 18 IPL matches in which he has scored 63 runs and bagged 25 wickets. He took 17 wickets in the 2017 edition and had an underwhelming season in 2018. Woakes’ withdrawal in the franchise is a big blow for Capitals as pacers Kagiso Rabada, and Ishant Sharma are all ruled out due to injuries.

Woakes, who played a key role in England’s 50-over World Cup triumph, also aim for a spot in England’s squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in October and November. According to reports, Woakes has informed the franchise about his decision and that he was pulling out due to family reasons. This decision will also allow him to spend more time with his wife and daughter.

With only three weeks remaining for the IPL 13 to begin, Capitals led by Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer is back to the drawing board as they have to get a replacement for Woakes and other players sidelined due to injury. New players like Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Jason Roy and Mohit Sharma remain on the team. Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane was also traded to the Capitals.

DC have spent a total of Rs 76 crore during the 2020 IPL auction with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin as their golden charge. Ashwin, Kings XI Punjab’s former captain was traded to the Capitals ahead of the auctions followed by Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane was also traded to the Capitals.

The new season of the IPL will kick-off on March 29 with the first match of the season to be played between defending champions Mumbai Indians and last-season’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings. Capitals will play their first match against Kings XI Punjab at home on March 30. Sign up now at 12BET India, the trusted name in providing complete and accurate sports news, betting odds and more.