Pat Cummins, Alex Hales and Sam Billings will be unavailable for IPL 2023, confirms KKR

Two-time IPL Champions Kolkata KnightRiders have confirmed the departures of Pat Cummins, Sam Billings and Alex Hales ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.

Cummins and Billings had already announced that they have withdrawn from the upcoming IPL as they decided to focus on their national teams. Hales had missed last year's IPL citing bubble-fatigue and made his return ti the England side ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next year’s IPL. The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI’s for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of the Ashes series and World Cup,” Cummins posted on Twitter.

He went on to thank KKR players and staff for understanding his decision to opt out of the franchise league next year.

“Thanks so much to @KKRiders for their understanding. Such a terrific team of players and staff and I hope I can get back there ASAP,” another tweet from Cummins read.

Billings said on Monday that he would be focusing on the longer format of the game and will be missing the next edition.“I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next year’s IPL. The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI’s for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of the Ashes series and World Cup,” Cummins posted on Twitter.

He went on to thank KKR players and staff for understanding his



decision to opt out of the franchise league next year.

“Thanks so much to @KKRiders for their understanding. Such a terrific team of players and staff and I hope I can get back there ASAP,” another tweet from Cummins read.

Billings said on Monday that he would be focusing on the longer format of the game and will be missing the next edition.

"Have taken the tough decision that I won’t be taking part in the next IPL @KKRiders. Looking to focus on longer format cricket at the start of the English summer with Kent Cricket," Billings said in a tweet on Monday.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity @kkriders. ! Loved every minute of it. An amazing franchise with some brilliant people. Hopefully see you again in the future," he added.

KKR announced on Tuesday that they respect Cummins, Billings and Hales' decision to skip next year's IPL due to personal reasons and national team commitments.

"We respect @patcummins30, @sambillings and @AlexHales1's decision of skipping next year's IPL due to personal reasons and national team commitments. All the best, guys!" said KKR on Twitter.

KKR were one of the most active teams during the IPL trade window as they added Lockie Ferguson, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shardul Thakur to their side.

The two-time IPL Champions have 7 Crores left in their purse for the upcoming auction.