Delhi Capitals all-rounder Chris Woakes has pulled out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League to stay fresh for England’s home summer. The player was picked up for INR 1.5 crore in the auctions last year.
The England Test team will be playing series’ on either side of the IPL, which starts from March 29 and runs till May 24. They are currently preparing to take on Sri Lanka in Asia from the end of the month in a two-match series, and will later play six Tests across three months at home against West Indies and Pakistan from June 4. Woakes, an integral member of the Test team has opted for a rest to stay fit to play for his country.
The Englishman, however, does not have the best record in the T20 league. He has picked up just 25 wickets in 18 matches at an economy rate of 9.24, but will nonetheless be missed with question marks hovering over Ishant Sharma. The Indian seamer was out injured from the Indian tour of New Zealand due to an ankle issue. The other international pacer in Delhi Capitals, Kagiso Rabada, too has a groin strain and might miss the first few games in the IPL.