IPL 2021: SRH sign Sherfane Rutherford to replace Jonny Bairstow in the UAE leg

The second leg of IPL 2021 is all set to kick off on September 19 in the UAE wherein the opening will set action between most decorated franchises Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. In the latest turn of events, Sunrisers Hyderabad has signed in explosive West Indies cricketer Sherfane Rutherford in place of England’s Jonny Bairstow.

It has to be noted that three English players have pulled out of IPL 2021 UAE leg after the fifth Test between India and England got cancelled in Manchester. Bairstow was one of the integral members of the orange franchise but now Rutherford will replace him in the Gulf nation.

“The explosive Caribbean is now a #Riser! Sherfane Rutherford will replace Jonny Bairstow in our squad for the second phase of #IPL2021 #OrangeArmy #OrangeOrNothing,” tweeted the official account of SRH.

SRH welcomes Sherfane Rutherford in UAE leg of IPL 2021

The explosive Caribbean is now a #Riser! 🧡

Sherfane Rutherford will replace Jonny Bairstow in our squad for the second phase of #IPL2021 #OrangeArmy #OrangeOrNothing pic.twitter.com/ypqqAl1Zyk

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) September 11, 2021

Rutherford broke into the West Indies national side in the year 2018 when he played his first T20I against Bangladesh. The 23-year-old has played six T20Is with his national team and has collected 43 runs and one wicket to his name. Though he is new to the national side, he has been an active member of T20 leagues across the world.

He has played 43 T20 games with 624 runs and eight wickets to his credit. It remains to be seen how he would be able to ply his trade in the UAE leg of IPL under the captaincy of world-class skipper Kane Williamson. He was roped in by Delhi Capitals for the first time in the 2018 edition of IPL.

Dawid Malan, who was set to play for PBKS in the UAE leg of the T20 league, has also pulled of from the tournament and has been replaced by South Africa’s Aiden Markram. Chris Woakes who was also set to ply his trade for SRH has pulled out from the season. The decision came a day after when the final Test between England and India got cancelled due to COVID-19 fears in the visiting camp. Only Moeen Ali is moving out for the second phase of IPL 2021 from the UK who will also return for Ashes.

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