Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Pat Cummins has pulled out of IPL the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Former KKR skipper, Dinesh Karthik , confirmed the news of the speedster’s unavailability. In an interaction with Times of India, Karthik revealed that Cummins had already informed him of his unavailability, but also said that things can potentially change as the tournament approaches. The wicketkeeper-batsman also asserted that he’ll be ready to lead KKR if regular skipper Eoin Morgan misses the flight to UAE.
“Cummins has said he is not coming but there’s still three months and Morgan may still be available. But if I am asked to lead, I don’t have a problem,” Karthik told TOI. The 28-year-old Australian pacer was spearheading KKR’s bowling attack in the initial half of IPL 2021. He took nine wickets in seven games and also scored a quick-fire half-century. Hence, his absence is a big blow for the two-time champions. There has been no statement from Cricket Australia yet on the availability of its players for the remainder of IPL 2021 whereas England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already clarified that its players won't skip international matches which coincide IPL. IPL 2021's remaining matches will begin immediately after India's tour of England in mid-September and run till mid-October when the T20 World Cup is scheduled to start.
