Cricket

IPL 2024: Punjab Kings’ Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone return home due to different reasons

May 15, 2024

Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone, the two overseas players of Punjab Kings (PBKS), will miss the remaining two matches of their side in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Notably, PBKS are already out of the playoffs contention and will play their last two matches of this season against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 15 and May 19, respectively.

Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone fly back home

PBKS head coach Brad Haddin confirmed that both Rabada and Livingstone will no further take part in the remaining matches.

South African pacer Rabada has returned home due to an infection in the soft tissue of a lower limb, while Livingstone left the PBKS camp to be with the England team for national duty.

“Yeah, there will be changes to the Playing XI). We know Rabada’s gone home injured, so we’ve got to find a replacement. Liam Livingstone has also been called back by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). There’ll be a change there also,” said Haddin ahead of the Royals clash.

“We are out of the tournament, which is disappointing, but it’s still another opportunity for the younger guys and the team to develop,” Haddin added.

Also READ: IPL 2024, RR vs PBKS – Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Guwahati Weather Forecast, T20 Stats & Records | Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings set to name a new captain for the last IPL 2024 match

Since sustaining a shoulder injury while fielding in the home game against SRH on April 9, PBKS regular captain Shikhar Dhawan has remained sidelined. In his absence, Sam Curran has assumed leadership responsibilities for the team.

After Punjab’s penultimate match against RR at Guwahati on Wednesday, both English cricketers – Curran and Jonny Bairstow – are set to fly back home. Consequently, the franchise will need to appoint a new captain for the final match. Additionally, PBKS will be without the services of England all-rounder Chris Woakes, who returned home following the passing of his father a few days ago.