Dinesh Karthik confirms KKR teammate Pat Cummins’ unavailability for the remainder of IPL 2021

With the international cricket schedule being jam-packed, there are doubts over the participation of foreign players in the remaining season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The gala T20 tournament was suspended midway on May 4th, 2021, due to the COVID-19 crisis. Although the official dates and schedule are yet to come, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the remaining matches will take place in UAE.

Many teams have already received a shock as England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that their centrally-contracted England players won’t participate in the UAE leg of IPL. It was also reported that Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Pat Cummins has pulled out of the tournament. Now, Cummins’ KKR teammate Dinesh Karthik has put a stamp on the news, confirming the speedster’s unavailability.

In an interaction with Times of India, Karthik revealed that Cummins had already informed him of his unavailability, but also said that things can potentially change as the tournament approaches. The wicketkeeper-batsman also asserted that he’ll be ready to lead KKR if regular skipper Eoin Morgan misses the flight to UAE.

Pat Cummins won’t participate in remaining IPL 2021: Dinesh Karthik

“Cummins has said he is not coming but there’s still three months and Morgan may still be available. But if I am asked to lead, I don’t have a problem,” Karthik told TOI.

Meanwhile, Cummins reunited with his pregnant partner Becky Boston on May 31 (Monday) after weeks of travel and quarantine following IPL’s suspension. While the pacer hasn’t talked about the matter yet, it is understood that Cummins wants to spend more time with his better half amid her pregnancy.

The 28-year-old Australian pacer was spearheading KKR’s bowling attack in the initial half of IPL 2021. He took nine wickets in seven games and also scored a quick-fire half-century. Hence, his absence could hurt the two-time champions big time. Moreover, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side didn’t enjoy a great time in this year’s IPL.

At the time of season suspension, KKR were holding the penultimate position in the team standings with two wins in seven games. Hence, they need to win six of their remaining seven league-stage games to make a place in the playoffs without any hassle.