IPL 2024: England's Jonny Bairstow available for entire season; Punjab Kings to play two home games in Dharamsala

England’s Jonny Bairstow, who plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS), will be available for the entirety of the Indian Premier League (IPL), despite returning home only recently after a five-match Test series against India. This comes after some of England’s regulars like Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Joe Root had opted out of the tournament citing England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) workload management.

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India, led by Rohit Sharma, had recently beaten England 4-1 in the Test series, bouncing back after a 28-run loss in the opening Test in Hyderabad in January.

“Bairstow is expected to arrive in India on March 18 or 19 and will be available for the team’s first game against Delhi Capitals on March 23,” an IPL source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Bairstow, who played his 100th Test in Dharamsala, had a forgettable time with the bat in India, scoring just 238 runs from five games, and would be looking to be back among the runs in the IPL.

Wasim Jaffer released from batting consultant’s position

Sanjay Bangar, who was appointed as cricket director at Punjab Kings ahead of the 2024 edition, will double up as the batting coach of the side. Bangar was previously with RCB and has also been India’s batting coach.

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Considering that, the franchise has parted ways with Wasim Jaffer, who was the team’s batting consultant last season.

Punjab, whose only final appearance came in the 2014 edition, have been perennial under-performers in the IPL.

Head coach Trevor Bayliss’ contract expires after the season and Punjab will have to make the play-offs for him to have a shot at extension.

Dharamsala to host team’s two home games

Though the whole season schedule is not out yet, Punjab are expected to play their final two home games in Dharamsala like last season.

The other five games will be held in the new stadium built in Mullanpur, Mohali.

With PTI inputs