Chris Woakes has picked up 25 wickets in 18 IPL games © Getty
Chris Woakes, who was picked by Delhi Capitals for INR 1.5 crores at the 2020 IPL Auction, has pulled out of the tournament in order to stay fresh for England's home summer.
The IPL, which runs from March 29 to May 24, is bookended either side by Test assignments for the England squad, of which Woakes is an integral member. England are currently preparing for two Tests against Sri Lanka, and will later play six Test across three months at home against West Indies and Pakistan starting from June 4, making for a gruelling schedule.
Instead, Woakes has decided to remain fresh for his international assignments and has informed the franchise of his decision according to the PA news agency.
While Woakes doesn't have a great record in the IPL (E/R - 9.24, 25 wickets in 18 games), this is still a setback for Delhi Capitals' seam bowling department, considering there's a big question mark over Ishant Sharma, who suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury in New Zealand. Even Kagiso Rabada is facing a race against time to recover from his groin strain.
Chris Woakes, who was picked by Delhi Capitals for INR 1.5 crores at the 2020 IPL Auction, has pulled out of the tournament in order to stay fresh for England's home summer.
The IPL, which runs from March 29 to May 24, is bookended either side by Test assignments for the England squad, of which Woakes is an integral member. England are currently preparing for two Tests against Sri Lanka, and will later play six Test across three months at home against West Indies and Pakistan starting from June 4, making for a gruelling schedule.
Instead, Woakes has decided to remain fresh for his international assignments and has informed the franchise of his decision according to the PA news agency.
While Woakes doesn't have a great record in the IPL (E/R - 9.24, 25 wickets in 18 games), this is still a setback for Delhi Capitals' seam bowling department, considering there's a big question mark over Ishant Sharma, who suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury in New Zealand. Even Kagiso Rabada is facing a race against time to recover from his groin strain.