Veteran Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler Dale Steyn has pulled out of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) citing personal reasons. This comes as a surprise as Steyn will play all other leagues and will take leave during IPL to be with family only during that part of the year.
Incidentally, Steyn had made his return to Royal Challengers in 2019 and rejoined them in 2020 after being bought for Rs 2 crore. The Proteas fast bowler failed to make an impact and was later benched. Thus, Dale Steyn’s latest announcement has also ended his IPL career as he failed to make an impact in IPL 2020 and was highly likely to be released ahead of IPL 2021 auction.
Dale Steyn opts out of IPL 2021
The 37-year-old took to microblogging site Twitter to share the news with his fans and all IPL lovers. Dale Steyn stated that he has made himself unavailable for IPL 2021 and has informed his decision to Royal Challengers Bangalore management.
“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 wrote on Twitter.
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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
Reacting to Dale Steyn’s announcement, RCB came up with a heartfelt reply and wrote: “You will be missed, Dale Steyn! Thank you for the memories and keep rooting for us.”
You will be missed, Dale Steyn! Thank you for the memories and keep rooting for us. 🙏🏼🤗 https://t.co/7b4WZ348wZ
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) January 2, 2021
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In total, Dale Steyn has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in five seasons since IPL started. He had first joined the franchise in 2008. The senior pacer spent the first three seasons with RCB and made his return in 2019 when he replaced Nathan Coulter-Nile. He did provide the much-needed boost to the franchise but was ruled out after two matches due to a shoulder issue.
In IPL 2020, Steyn only managed one wicket in 3 matches. He was initially dropped after the first two matches and returned to the playing XI after a month.
