The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) will see the return of some of the best in the world who have been away from the marquee tournament for different time periods. A look at what is to be expected…
Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)
The most anticipated comeback in world cricket. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how Pant will perform after returning to the field.
He will also lead Delhi Capitals in the tournament; therefore, it would be interesting to see how he copes with the pressures of batting, keeping and leading the side together. The Indian selectors will also keep a tab on Pant’s performance in the IPL with the T20 World Cup in mind. The keeper’s slot has not been pinned yet, and Pant is one among several contenders for the position.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The Australian Test and ODI captain was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the 2023 IPL, but opted out of the tournament in order to focus on Australia’s international assignments for the year. In 2023, Cummins managed to lead Australia to the World Test Championship title, won the Ashes in England, and then beat India to clinch the ODI World Cup title. His captaincy raised his stocks and Cummins was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20 crore in the IPL auction. The franchise has made him the captain for the upcoming season too.
Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The Australian will return to the IPL after a gap of eight seasons, his last match in the tournament came in 2015. Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank to buy Star at the auction. Bought for Rs 24.75 crore, Starc became the most expensive player in the history of IPL. Considering the T20 World Cup is in this year, it will be interesting to see the number of matches Starc plays in the 2024 IPL.
Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans)
The New Zealand great was part of the Titans squad last season and took the field in the team’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings. Williamson landed awkwardly while attempting a catch on the boundary ropes and injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). After recovering from a knee surgery, he returned to international cricket during the ODI World Cup. Williamson’s role in 2024 IPL will be crucial as newly-appointed Gujarat captain Shubman Gill will look to gain from the Kiwi’s leadership knowhow.
Jonny Bairstow (Punjab Kings)
Last year, Bairstow missed the IPL as he was recovering from a surgery after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle in September 2022. He had missed the 2022 T20 World Cup due to his injuries. He recently played a landmark 100th Test in Dharamshala and will now turn up for Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL. Bairstow is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball and will be crucial for Punjab’s chances.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
The value that Bumrah brings to a team is unparalleled. He missed the 2023 IPL after undergoing a surgery for stress fracture on his back. He was already out of action since September 2022 and in between also missed the 2022 T20 World Cup. He returned to international cricket in emphatic fashion, picking 20 wickets in the ODI World Cup last year. In the 2024 IPL, Bumrah will need monitoring and his workload managed especially since the T20 World Cup is scheduled later this year.
Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
It will be a crucial IPL season for Iyer, having been dropped from BCCI’s central contract list. He missed the last season due to a back injury, and underwent surgery since then. An outstanding ODI World Cup last year made his stocks rise, but the fall has been quite swift. He lost his spot in India’s T20 and Test team after running into some indifferent form. He was not given a central contract after not playing in Ranji Trophy despite BCCI’s call to international players to play Ranji when not in the Indian team. Iyer will look to come out of a difficult phase in his cricketing career in the upcoming IPL.
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