England opener Jason Roy has opted out of the ongoing IPL 2024 season, prioritizing his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after a successful 2023 season, opened up about the difficult decision.
“Missing this year’s IPL was a huge decision,” Roy confessed on The Athlete’s Voice Podcast. “KKR put so much trust in me, and I felt like I owed them a lot.”
However, a confluence of factors contributed to his withdrawal. Firstly, his daughter’s fifth birthday coincided with the first IPL match, creating a scheduling conflict. Secondly, a grueling year of cricket left him feeling drained.
Roy missed selection for England’s ODI World Cup last year. He then hopped from tournament to tournament, participating in the SA20, ILT20, and currently playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 2024.
“The last couple of months have really taken it out of me,” he admitted. “I had an honest conversation with KKR, and thankfully, they completely understood.”
This decision reflects a growing trend in cricket where players prioritize mental health and workload management. Roy, by prioritizing rest, aims to return refreshed and ready for future international and franchise commitments.
KKR has filled Roy’s void with Phil Salt, a wicketkeeping-batsman. Roy, despite his absence, expressed his gratitude to KKR for their understanding and support.
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