South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen is unlikely to join Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals for the remainder of IPL 2021. Earlier, it was widely reported that the Proteas batter has joined the franchise as a replacement of English all-rounder Ben Stokes replacement.
However, a report in ESPNCricinfo suggests that Rassie van der Dussen got a visa to fly to India but failed to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket South Africa, who cited injury as the reason for this. As a result, he will be not joining Rajasthan Royals for the remainder of IPL 2021.
Rassie van der Dussen not to join Rajasthan Royals
The right-handed batter is in great form at the moment. He was the only batsman who carried South Africa’s batting in the recent ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. He scored 183 runs in two ODIs including a century before amassing 86 runs in a couple of T20 Internationals at an amazing strike rate of 153.57. Rajasthan, who toil at the bottom of the points table, looked to solve their woes by adding Rassie van der Dussen. But as it looks, they will have to do with what resources they have on their table at present.
Rajasthan have been marred with injury concerns. Jofra Archer will be missing the entire IPL 2021 while all-rounder Ben Stokes was ruled with a finger injury he sustained in the first game of the tournament. On top of that, fast bowler Andrew Tye pulled out of the competition amid the growing rise of COVID19 cases in the country while Liam Livingstone pulled out of the tournament citing bubble fatigue.
Meanwhile, in a good move, the Sanju Samson-led side has roped in 20-year-old fast bowler Gerald Coetzee as Livingstone’s replacement. The young fast bowler is highly rated in South Africa and has earned praise from Allan Dolland and Dale Steyn. As per reports, he has done his quarantine and will be available for selection during Rajasthan Royals’ next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
