Chennai Super Kings have dealt a heavy blow just before the start of IPL 2023, as new acquisition Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out of the T20 competition because of a back injury. MS Dhoni's men will be missing the New Zealand pacer for the whole season. For the four-time title winners, this creates a tactical headache, especially with the fitness of Deepak Chahar still uncertain. Jamieson is now facing a three-to-four-month recovery period following necessary surgery to treat a stress fracture in his back.
Chennai Super Kings have suffered a big blow ahead of IPL 2023, their new recruit, Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out of the cash-rich T20 league following a back injury. MS Dhoni-led side will be without the New Zealand pacer for the entire season of the Indian Premier League. This issue becomes a major concern for the four-time champions CSK, considering that there are still some questions on the fitness of their other star frontline pacer Deepak Chahar. The Kiwi speedster will miss three to four months of action as he is set to undergo a stress fracture surgery on his back.
Jamieson's plans to rejoin the national side for the current Test series against England were derailed by this persistent injury. The last time he wore the New Zealand colors was during a 2022 clash with England, where the injury first occurred. He spent several months on the sidelines before trying to work his way back through the domestic circuit.
Despite being selected for the two-match Test series against England, the 28-year-old spent January playing domestic T20s and List-A matches to get back into game shape. He even featured in a tour match against the English side, though he didn't make the final XI for the first Test, a game that ended in a crushing 267-run defeat for the hosts.
Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand, confirmed that Jamieson has consulted a specialist and will undergo surgery later this week. Stead noted that this has been an incredibly tough period for the player and represents a significant loss for the squad, praising Jamieson's immense impact whenever he is healthy. According to Stead, the surgery is the best route to ensure a faster recovery. The coaching staff is prioritizing his long-term health, recognizing the high level of talent Jamieson brings to the team.
Having spent INR 1 crore to secure the Kiwi pacer during last year's IPL 2023 auction, the Chennai franchise now finds itself without their investment. This isn't Jamieson's first foray into the IPL; he previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, where the tall fast bowler claimed nine wickets across nine appearances.
The 16th season of the IPL kicks off on March 31st, with an opening clash between CSK and the defending champions, Gujarat Titans.