Australian cricketer Adam Zampa’s unexpected withdrawal from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to personal reasons has left Rajasthan Royals in a bind. Zampa, who was retained by the Royals ahead of the December auction in Dubai, cited family commitments as the reason for his decision, confirmed by his manager to ESPNcricinfo on Thursday. His absence comes despite his INR 1.5 crore contract with the franchise.
Zampa, who has a young family and has been grappling with a hectic schedule, featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Australia’s white-ball series against India, West Indies, and New Zealand since the conclusion of last year’s ODI World Cup in India, deemed it necessary to prioritize his personal life.
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Despite Rajasthan Royals boasting the talents of India’s premier spinners R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, Zampa made his mark in the 2023 season with six appearances, bagging eight wickets at an average of 23.50 and an economy rate of 8.54. His standout performance included figures of 3 for 22 in a home victory against Chennai Super Kings.
Adam Zampa won’t be part of Rajasthan Royals’ #IPL2024 campaign https://t.co/3oalQvUko1 pic.twitter.com/1rFeCz2zm1
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 21, 2024
Zampa’s IPL journey has seen him don the jerseys of Royal Challengers Bangalore (formerly Royal Challengers Bangalore) and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, accumulating 29 wickets across 20 matches spanning four seasons.
In addition to Zampa’s departure, Rajasthan Royals also faced a setback with Prasidh Krishna’s absence from their bowling attack due to a quadriceps surgery, ruling him out for the season. This injury prompted Manoj Badale, the franchise’s co-owner, to highlight the importance of closer collaboration between franchises and the BCCI’s medical department.
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Manoj Badale emphasized the need for improved medical support for players, acknowledging the financial implications for franchises when key players become unavailable due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, Rajasthan Royals are yet to announce replacements for either Prasidh or Zampa, leaving their bowling department in a state of flux as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season.
