Star pacer likely to pull out of Indian T20 League, leaving Lucknow in a soup

The Indian T20 League 2022 has seen some players pulling out of the tournament already. The season opener is just two weeks away from commencement, and two players have already pulled out of the tournament. Jason Roy and Alex Hales cited bio-bubble fatigue as the reason to give the tournament a skip. In another major development, Mark Wood, who was signed by the Lucknow franchise, might back out of the tournament as well.

Wood was injured while playing in the Caribbean. According to the latest news, Wood is suffering from severe elbow discomfort and is unlikely to play in the next two Tests against West Indies. During a net session on the penultimate morning of the first Test in Antigua, he felt "acute pain" in his right elbow, according to an England team spokesman.

As per a report in Sports Tiger, the pacer will be unable to bowl for at least 15 days. Even if Wood becomes well enough to bowl, he is unlikely to play in the ITL. Wood's injury is compared to Jofra Archer's injury. As a result, neither the ECB nor Wood will consider risking it for an ITL contract.

The pacer was purchased for a hefty 7.5 crores by the Lucknow franchise. The pacer's ability to bowl express pace is a huge advantage to Lucknow. 

Notably, all three players, Roy, Hales and Wood, are from England. While Mark Wood has a valid reason, Roy and Hales cited bio-bubble fatigue while pulling out. They were completely aware of what they were getting into yet they kept their name in the auction and left their teams in a soup. 

Former player turned expert, Aakash Chopra felt that the franchises might becoming skeptical while backing them again in the auction . "English players pulling out from the IPL citing bubble-fatigue issues…after making themselves available knowing fully well what they were signing up for…might make the IPL teams skeptical about looking in their direction in the future," he said in a tweet.

English players pulling out from the IPL citing bubble-fatigue issues…after making themselves available knowing fully well what they were signing up for…might make the IPL teams skeptical about looking in their direction in the future.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 11, 2022