England cricketers Alex Hales and Adil Rashid have snubbed the ninth edition of the IPL, which is set to start on 9 April. Both the players stood great chance to be picked by franchises during the IPL Player Auction in 6 February in Bengaluru, but they have decided to compete for a slot in the Test team.
England have a major series coming up against Sri Lanka in May and both the cricketers, who have given a lot of importance to the national team, will be keen to impress the national selectors during the county season.
Rashid, who was one of the most impressive players in the recently-concluded Big Bash League in Australia claiming 16 wickets, could have been a huge asset in the IPL. Franchises must have been planning to sign the leggie during the auction as quality spinners can bag a lucrative deal. IPL teams need to look elsewhere now.
Hales could also have been in demand during the auction, but the player, who wants to play red ball cricket for his county side Nottinghamshire, has pleased many a people as he wants to fight for a place in the England national side.
"He's made a decision not to go to the IPL, so he'll play for us early season. He knows his England position is under threat, it's bound to be and he's made a decision, to fight for his place. Hopefully he'll come back with real vigour and desire to do that," trentbridge.co.uk quoted Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell as saying.
Rashid and Hales are not the only English players, who have decided to snub the ninth edition of the IPL. Players such as Moeen Ali, James Anderson and Joe Root have withdrawn from IPL 2016.
However, players like Jos Buttler, Sam Billings and Chris Jordan are three English players, who are said to be part of the IPL Player Auction. Among the trio, Buttler, who is a wicket-keeper-batsman, has a huge chance of bagging a lucrative deal with the IPL.
