Leeds: Good news for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as far as the second edition of IPL-2021 is concerned. England batsman Dawid Malan has said that his first priority is to play the IPL for KXIP. He will think about the T20 World Cup when he needs to Dawid Malan has said. The second phase of the IPL will start in the UAE September 19 onwards. The first phase had to be abandoned due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in some of the teams.
Malan is the world’s top-ranked T20 batsman. He made a fine comeback in Test cricket after three years with a splendid 70 in England’s first innings against India in the ongoing third Test at Headingley here.
“The only guarantee we have at the moment is IPL. We don’t know if we’re going to the (T20) World Cup. We also don’t know if we’re going to the Ashes. So it leaves us in quite a tough situation,” the 33-year-old said at a virtual press conference after the second day’s play.
“I think all possibilities but at the moment I’m committed to the IPL. Yeah that’s where I am at the moment. Nothing sort of changed at the moment, maybe we can reassess,” the left-handed batsman added.
The innings Thursday may have resurrected Malan’s Test career to brighten his chances for the coveted Ashes in Australia later this year. However, Malan said he’s not taking anything for granted.
“Say you give up the IPL and you don’t get picked for either of the England squads, then you’ve given up the IPL also. There are no guarantees at the moment, it (Ashes) is still a long way to go. There is five innings left in the Test series so far,” Malan pointed out.
”…Or if you go to IPL and then you get selected after you’ve gone to IPL, then you’re in the bubble for five-and-a-half months. Hopefully we can get some answers and we can find some time to get a rest out of these bubbles,” Malan added.
Dawid Malan, IPL, KXIP, England, World Cup, T20, Ashes
