8 New Zealand stars who will play in IPL 2024 instead of Pakistan T20I series

Devon Conway is currently not part of both IPL 2024 and New Zealand T20I squad owing to an injury.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest cricket tournament that is played once a year. And there is a separate window for the IPL, as not many international matches are played during the IPL. Because almost all the big names from all countries are taking part in the IPL, it is hard to arrange series between big teams. Just like during the IPL 2024, where many teams won’t be playing international cricket for this duration.

However, Pakistan are set to host New Zealand for a five-match T20I series, starting on April 18. Babar Azam is back as Pakistan’s captain and will be leading the side. But because most of New Zealand’s first-choice players are taking part in the ongoing IPL 2024, the New Zealand Board has announced a second-string team for this tour with Michael Bracewell as the captain. And here we will talk about 8 Kiwi stars who will miss Pakistan series because of the IPL 2024.

Here are the 8 New Zealand stars who will play in IPL 2024 instead of Pakistan T20I series

1. Rachin Ravindra

The young sensation Rachin Ravindra is one of the first-choice players for New Zealand across formats. He gained popularity after a brilliant World Cup 2023 in India, which helped him bag an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings. Hence, he is playing for CSK in the IPL 2024 and has opted out of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Meanwhile, he is doing well for Chennai.

2. Mitchell Santner

The Kiwi all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who has also led New Zealand’s T20I and ODI squads on occasions, is also part of CSK in the IPL. He made his IPL debut in 2018 for them and has been representing them since then. He is another Kiwi star who is currently involved in the IPL 2024. Though he hasn’t played a game this season, he is another missing star in the squad for Pakistan T20I series.

3. Daryl Mitchell

Kiwi all-rounder Daryl Mitchell is another player who will miss the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan because of his participation in the IPL 2024. He is the third Kiwi cricketer playing for CSK in this tournament. However, unlike Santner, Mitchell has played games for Chennai and is likely to get more chances in the coming matches. CSK bought him for INR 14 crore at the auction.

4. Kane Williamson

The senior Kiwi batter Kane Williamson is probably the biggest name on this list. The 33-year-old is part of Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024. He is one of the most experienced names in the GT setup, and new captain Shubman Gill has a lot to learn from Williamson. Though the Kiwi star has not played a game in the tournament, he will be required somewhere in the competition.

5. Matt Henry

Kiwi speedster Matt Henry went unsold at the IPL 2024 auction. No franchise bid for him, but here he is back in the tournament. Notably, the 32-year-old pacer has joined Lucknow Super Giants as replacement. The Kiwi pacer replaced David Willey in LSG squad after the England all-rounder pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons. And this means, he is another star who will miss the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.

6. Trent Boult

Veteran left-arm pacer Trent Boult has also missed international assignments previously because of the IPL, and that is similar this time around as well. The 34-year-old is among the first-choice overseas players for Rajasthan Royals and has played all games in the IPL 2024 for them. Boult will play the entire season, which means he will not play in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan.

7. Lockie Ferguson

The Kiwi fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was part of the five-match T20I series against Pakistan in January. But he is not travelling to Pakistan for the coming series. It is because he is currently involved in the ongoing IPL 2024 and is part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad. However, just like a few overseas players, he hasn’t played a game yet, but he is likely to get his chance soon.

8. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips is another player who played in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan at home, but is not available for the upcoming series. He was one of the key performers in the last series and contributed with both bat and ball. However, Phillips is part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024. He has not played any matches yet but is likely to get a few as the tournament progresses.

Along with the above-mentioned players, Devon Conway also isn’t part of the Kiwi squad for Pakistan T20Is. However, he has been ruled out of action for quite a few time due to thumb injury. He isn’t part of CSK in IPL 2024 as well currently.

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