Three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Barbados all-rounder Dominic Drakes as a replacement for injured England all-rounder Sam Curran for the remainder of the ongoing 2021 season of the lucrative league.
Drakes, an uncapped West Indian all-rounder, has played one First-Class, 25 List A and 19 T20 matches in his career so far.
As per reports, Drakes, a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium pacer, was already in the IPL bio-bubble as he was picked up by defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) as a net bowler.
Recently, Drakes, 23, starred with an unbeaten 48 off 24 balls to help his side St Kitts and Nevis Patriots win the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021 title in September this year.
Meanwhile, he had also scalped 16 wickets to become the joint fourth-highest wicket taker in the tournament.
Currently, the MS Dhoni-led CSK is at the second place in the eight-team points table with 18 points in their kitty from 13 matches.
The Yellow Briage will next face Punjab Kings in their last league match of the 2021 season on Thursday at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Earlier on Tuesday, Curran was ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing season as well as the upcoming T20 World Cup, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had confirmed.
“He [Sam Curran] will fly back to the UK in the next couple of days and will have further scans and a full review later this week from the ECB’s medical team,” the ECB release stated.
Curran, 23, complained of pain in his back after the IPL fixture against Rajasthan Royals at Abu Dhabi last Saturday following which scans revealed the nature of his injury and ruled him out of the showpiece event, which will begin on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.
So far, Curran has featured in nine IPL games this IPL season for CSK. He scalped nine wickets at an economy of 9.93 beside scoring 56 runs from four innings.
Curran will now also miss the reminder of ongoing IPL season, CSK said on Twitter.
“Unfortunately I have received a gutting news that I will unfortunately be missing the remainder of the IPL season and the World Cup. Extremely gutted…absolutely loved my time with Chennai this season. The boys are doing extremely well. It hasn’t really sunk in yet but I’m leaving with the team in a fantastic space. The boys are playing really good cricket. I want to be supporting them from where I am in the next few days. Once it’s all sunk in, I’ll definitely be supporting the team and I’m sure they can go all the way and lift the trophy,” Curran told CSK.
“Just want to say a massive thank you to all the Chennai Super Kings fans, I’ve absolutely loved all your support in the last two seasons I’ve been playing. It won’t be long until I’m back running, bowling and batting in front of all you guys. I’ll be back stronger, until then stay safe. Cheers guys,” he added.
Commenting on Curran’s injury, CSK CEO KS Viswanathan said: “It’s really unfortunate that Curran won’t be available for the rest of the season due to a lower back injury. We wish him a speedy recovery and I’m sure he will emerge stronger from this.:
“BCCI has been informed about the injury,” he had added.