Big blow to Rajasthan Royals: Foreign stars withdraw from IPL 2024 citing personal reasons | Cricket News

Rajasthan Royals suffered a big blow on Thursday as leg-spinner Adam Zampa pulled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) citing personal reasons. Zampa, who was retained by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the Rs 15-crore auction last year, withdrew his name after a busy season in Australia. Zampa’s manager confirmed the development to ESPNCricinfo. The right-arm spinner is part of a troika of spinners from Rajasthan that includes India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal ). He played six games for the 2008 champions last season, taking eight wickets at 23.50, including 3/22 in Rajasthan Royals’ victory over Chennai Super Kings.

Zampa’s exit further weakens Rajasthan’s bowling attack as they already lost fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who underwent a strained left quadriceps injury at the end of February. Tendon surgery and was subsequently ruled out of this year’s IPL.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad has replaced MS Dhoni as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2024.

Gaikwad made the announcement after attending a captain’s meeting ahead of this year’s tournament in Chennai on Thursday.

MS Dhoni, who has captained CSK since the inaugural season of the IPL, has won the title five times, joining Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma as the captain with the most titles.

Gaikwad, who has represented India in six ODIs and 19 T20s, made his CSK debut in 2020 and has played 52 matches for the five-time IPL champions. The right-handed opener had a memorable performance last year, scoring a total of 590 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 147.50.