‘Short time replacement?’ – Fans divided as Punjab name Jonny Bairstow’s replacement for Indian T20 League 2023

With less than a week until the start of the Indian T20 League, Punjab suffered a major blow in the form of Jonny Bairstow. The English cricketer, who is known as one of the most destructive batters in the game, has been released from the Punjab squad after failing to recover from an injury. Matthew Short has now been named as his replacement.

“We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season. We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement,” the franchise tweeted.

According to a report, star England batter Jonny Bairstow will miss the entire Indian T20 League this year because his cricket board refused to grant him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the high-profile T20 league, which begins on March 31.

Earlier, it was reported that the 33-year-old was still undergoing rehabilitation for the metal plate he had inserted in his left leg as a result of a freak injury sustained while playing golf. Bairstow was purchased for Rs. 9.75 crores by the Punjab team in the 2022 mega auction. He had an underwhelming debut season, scoring 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23 and a strike rate of  144.57.

“A player of Jonny’s standing in the international game it is a shame not to have him. But at the same time we are announcing that Matthew Short, who was the Big Bash player of the season will be joining us for the IPL,” said Punjab’s coach Trevor Bayliss.

In the meantime, Short scored 458 runs in 14 innings for the Adelaide Strikers at a strike rate of over 144. Last season, the 27-year-old hit two fifties and a hundred in the Big Bash League. As a result, he ended up winning the Player of the Tournament Award.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Punjab’s news