Cummins out of IPL with hip injury

Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2022 due to a hip injury.

The injury, though believed to be minor, made a cautious Cummins cut short his IPL stint as he is eyeing the Sri Lanka series in June and the T20 World Cup later this year.

Cummins had been managing the niggle throughout the season, but as KKR have little chance to progress to the playoffs this season, he opted to recover instead.

The Australian Test skipper returned to Sydney to start his recovery, which is expected to take two weeks and is supposed to be fit by the time the Aussies travel to Sri Lanka in June.

“I had an amazing time in India, and I would like to thank KKR for taking care of my family and me. I wish all the team members the best of luck for the remainder of the tournament. I will be watching the games and be cheering on,” the Aussie pacer said before leaving for Australia.

The fast-bowler played five matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders and picked up seven wickets, but his biggest moment came when he struck the joint-fastest fifty in IPL history off only 14 balls against Mumbai Indians on April 6.

KKR, with just two matches remaining in the season, have not asked the IPL authorities for a replacement. They currently sit seventh with 10 points from 12 matches and will need a fair share of luck to overtake Rajasthan Royals or Royal Challengers Bangalore, who sit third and fourth with 14 points from the same number of matches.