South African pacer Dale Steyn has decided to skip IPL 2021 due to personal reasons. A part of the RCB outfit for the next IPL season, Steyn has also said that he will not play for any other IPL team and has decided to skip the tournament to space out time for himself. Steyn was a part of the RCB squad that made it to the IPL 2020 playoffs and lost the eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He played just three matches for the franchise in 2020 and picked up one wicket.
Dale Steyn took two Twitter and made the announcement in a couple of threads.
“Just a short message to let everyone know that I’ve made myself unavailable for RCB at this year’s IPL,” the 37-year-old wrote on Twitter.
“I’m also not planning on playing for another team, just taking some time off during that period. Thank you to RCB for understanding,” he further wrote.
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Dale Steyn Opts Out From IPL 2021
Cricket tweet 🏏
Just a short message to let everyone know that I’ve made myself unavailable for RCB at this years IPL, I’m also not planning on playing for another team, just taking some time off during that period.
Thank you to RCB for understanding.
No I’m not retired. 🤙
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 2, 2021
Dale Steyn quit Test cricket in 2019 in an attempt to prolong his limited-overs career for the national side. His international and IPL career has been marred by elbow and hamstring injuries.
“I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself an opportunity to do some thing’s I’ve been excited about as well as continue to play the game I love so much. NO, I’m NOT retired,” he added.
I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself a opportunity to do something’s I’ve been excited about as well as continue to play the game I love so much.
NO, I’m NOT retired. 😉
Here’s to a great 2021 🤙
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 2, 2021
Crowds Back For IPL 2021 ?
Meanwhile, crowds are expected to be back in the stadiums for IPL 2021. The new guidelines from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have decided to allow 50% of the spectators in the stadium from now on. The BCCI will be delighted with the news as they can now conduct the marquee England series and next IPL with supporters in the ground.
England will tour India in February where they will be playing 4 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. On the other hand, after conducting IPL in UAE, BCCI is now ready to stage the IPL 2021 in India. IPL 2021 is again all set to be a spectacle as 50% crowd will be permitted to watch the matches live from the stadium.
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