Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals are all set to rope in South African batsman Rassie van der Dussen as a replacement of Ben Stokes. In the franchise, van der Dussen will join compatriots Chris Morris and David Miller.
In case if you didn’t know, the England all-rounder Ben Stokes was ruled out of the rest of the Indian Premier League 2021 after he took Chris Gayle’s catch in the 4th match of the Indian Premier League. Stokes was seen grimacing in pain after taking the catch and even left the field for an over or two to get some treatment on one particular finger of the hand. Although he came out to bat for a three-ball duck, he was later ruled out of the entire IPL. Stokes will now undergo finger surgery in England.
However, the final call on Rassie van der Dussen’s selection will be taken only after the Proteas will clear the fitness test. It is reported by Netwerk24 that the fitness test will take place on Monday and if it all goes well, the right-hander can join Rajasthan Royals.
As long as Rassie van der Dussen is concerned, the right-handed batter is in brilliant form at the moment. He was the only batsman who carried South Africa’s batting in the recent ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. He scored 183 runs in two ODIs before amassing 86 runs in a couple of T20 Internationals at an amazing strike rate of 153.57. Thus, the right-hander can get the quick runs and it will be interesting to note if he will be picked by Rajasthan Royals.
The 32-year old has scored 628 runs in 20 T20I matches at an impressive average of 41.87 and a decent strike rate of 138.63.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have been dealt with a couple of more blows. The Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer has also ruled out of the IPL 2021 after suffering an elbow injury. Liam Livingstone, the England batter, has also opted to return home early from the IPL, citing “bubble fatigue” after spending much of the last ten months moving in and out of biosecure environments.
Rajasthan Royals are currently reeling at the bottom of the points table with one win from four outings.