Picture Credit:X/IPL
With the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) reaching its penultimate stage, the action will now shift to the playoffs. But ahead of the IPL 2024 playoffs , the teams have got a boost, especially Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals.
The West Indies star players in Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, pacer Alzarri Joseph and Sherfane Rutherford will continue to ply their trade for their respective franchises in IPL 2024 and will not travel back home to play the South Africa series. In absence of Rovman Powell, Brandon King will lead the side for the three-match T20I series.
While Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer feature in Rajasthan Royals, Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford are plying their trade in Kolkata Knight Riders. Moreover, Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope have been rested for the three-match T20I series despite the T20 World Cup just close to 10 days away.
“These are among the last competitive T20 international matches before the start of the World Cup. Players have the opportunity to fine-tune their skills and ensure they are as prepared as they can be for the World Cup, whether they are in the final squad or reserve pool,” Chief Selector Desmond Haynes said.
“We have not played together as a team since the Australia series, but we just completed a very high-intensity training camp in Antigua. Now we have the chance to integrate some of our players returning from the IPL and build some momentum as a group going into the World Cup,” the West Indies Head Coach Darren Sammy said.
The three-match T20I series between West Indies and South Africa will be played from May 23 till May 26, the T20 World Cup 2024 will commence from June 1. Ahead of the marquee event, the co-hosts West Indies will play Australia in a warm-up match on May 30 in Trinidad.
