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New Delhi. England’s aggressive batsman Liam Livingstone will not be able to play in the first match of Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). In fact, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet given ‘fitness clearance’ after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in December. The Punjab Kings team will start their campaign in the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1. Livingstone has not played competitive cricket since injuring himself during his Test debut against Pakistan in December.

The 29-year-old player also suffered an ankle injury while playing in ‘The Hundred’ competition at home last year. An IPL source told PTI, “He has been ruled out of at least the first match as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status.” He should be available from the second match.”

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Liam Livingstone posted a video on social media on Wednesday, in which he was seen batting on the net. Last season was the best in the IPL for Livingstone in which he scored 437 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.42. During this, his strike rate was 182.08. This England cricketer is known for his ability to play big shots and has played 12 ODIs and 29 T20 Internationals for the national team.

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In the last season, he also took six wickets with his spin bowling. England’s Sam Curran, who became the most expensive player in IPL history, has already joined the Punjab team.

Apart from Livingstone, the team will also miss South Africa’s top fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who will not be able to play in the match against KKR due to being part of the national team. He played in the final T20 match between South Africa and West Indies in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Rabada is expected to reach India on April 3, after which the team has to face Rajasthan Royals two days later.

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Tags: IPL 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders, Liam Livingstone, Nitish rana, Punjab Kings