IPL 2024: LSG all-rounder David Willey pulls out of beginning of the tournament

David Willey was acquired for Rs 2 crores by LSG in the IPL 2024 mini-auction.

Ahead of the IPL 2024, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been dealt with a major blow as their all-rounder David Willey has pulled out of beginning of the tournament. England all-rounder will miss initial matches of the IPL 2024 as confirmed by LSG head coach Justin Langer. The all-rounder was bought by LSG for Rs. 2 crores at the IPL 2024 auction in December, 2023.

However, LSG haven’t named any replacement for Willey yet. It is understood that the English cricketer might travel to India to play in later part of the showpiece event. The 34-year-old was playing non-stop cricket for some time. Willey was part of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 and then turned up for the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which concluded on Monday, March 18. 

The 34-year-old Willey was part of the PSL 2024 final, which the Sultans lost, and he then headed back to his home in the United Kingdom. LSG head coach Justin Langer confirmed the same.

“With Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won’t be coming now either, that means we lack some experience. But what I’ve also seen in the last couple of days is that we have enormous talent. Some of our guys have had some injuries but they all look very fit at the moment,” Justin Langer said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“They look fit and healthy and they’re very hungry, so we’ll just have to manage them well so that we can get them through and work through the whole tournament, not just the start of the tournament. We’ve got one overseas player up our sleeve if required, where we might be able to add some experience,” Langer added.

He pulled out after the auction, which is disappointing: Justin Langer on Mark Wood

Earlier, the Lucknow-based franchise was hit with a huge blow when their ace pacer Mark Wood pulled out of the entire IPL 2024 season. Later LSG signed West Indies’ Shamar Joseph as his replacement. However, LSG head coach Langer admitted that the LSG side would struggle to replicate impact of the English speedster.

However, the LSG head coach backed his slightly inexperienced bowling unit for the IPL 2024, comprising Naveen-ul-Haq. Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Yash Thakur, and Shemar Joseph in particular.

“Mark Wood is a world-class bowler, isn’t he? And he pulled out after the auction, which is disappointing but this is the world we live in. We also have Shamar Joseph, we have Mayank who bowls with very good pace. Hopefully, we can replace, not [Wood’s] experience, but his pace with Shamar Joseph and Mayank. He’ll be missed – of course, he’ll be missed, he’s a world-class bowler – but this is the world we live in and we will adapt and we will be okay,” Langer added.

KL Rahul’s LSG will kick-start their IPL 2024 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, March 24.

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