As the cricket calendar heats up, fans and selectors alike are faced with a unique challenge: balancing the excitement of the IPL and the demands of the County Championship. With several English players set to join their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, many will be unavailable for their counties, potentially until June. If you’re participating in @thecricketdraft or following the County Championship closely, you’ll want to carefully navigate these absences. Here’s a rundown of the key English players heading to the IPL and who to avoid for your County Championship draft.

1. Moeen Ali (Chennai Super Kings)

Moeen Ali, the dynamic all-rounder, has become a vital part of the Chennai Super Kings setup. Known for his ability to turn matches with both bat and ball, Moeen is expected to be heavily involved in the IPL, meaning his availability for Worcestershire in the early stages of the County Championship will be limited. While his presence will be missed domestically, CSK will be relying on his experience and versatility in India.

2. Phil Salt (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Phil Salt, a destructive wicketkeeper-batter, is a key asset for Kolkata Knight Riders. His explosive batting style fits perfectly with the fast-paced T20 format, and he will likely play a central role for KKR this season. As a result, Salt will be unavailable for Sussex for a significant portion of the early County Championship campaign, making him a player to avoid for your cricket draft.

3. David Willey (Lucknow Super Giants)

David Willey, a left-arm swing bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batter, will be representing Lucknow Super Giants. With his all-round capabilities, Willey has the potential to be a game-changer in the IPL. His absence from Yorkshire during the County Championship, though, means selectors will need to look elsewhere for bowling options early on.

4. Luke Wood (Mumbai Indians)

Luke Wood, the promising left-arm seamer, has been snapped up by Mumbai Indians for the IPL. With his ability to bowl at the death and provide late-order hitting, Wood is a valuable asset in T20 cricket. However, his time in India means Lancashire will miss his services in the early County Championship rounds, making him another player to avoid.

5. Punjab Kings’ English Contingent: Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran & Chris Woakes

Punjab Kings have a strong English core this season, with Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Chris Woakes all playing crucial roles.

• Bairstow, coming off a successful summer, will be pivotal to Punjab’s top order, making him unavailable for Yorkshire.
• Livingstone, known for his explosive hitting and bowling, will be absent from Lancashire.
• Sam Curran, the reigning IPL MVP, will be expected to deliver again for Punjab, meaning he won’t be available for Surrey.
• Woakes, with his all-round capabilities, is another important player for Punjab, leaving a gap at Warwickshire.

These players are likely to be involved until the late stages of the IPL, so expect them to miss a large chunk of the County Championship.

6. Jos Buttler & Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Rajasthan Royals)

Rajasthan Royals will rely heavily on Jos Buttler, one of the world’s premier white-ball players, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, a hard-hitting top-order batter. Buttler, known for his explosive stroke play, will lead Rajasthan’s charge, while Kohler-Cadmore will provide stability and firepower in the middle order. Both will be unavailable for Lancashire and Somerset, respectively, making them players to avoid for now.

7. Will Jacks, Reece Topley & Tom Curran (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Royal Challengers Bangalore have assembled a strong English contingent as well, with Will Jacks, Reece Topley, and Tom Curran all key players.

• Jacks, a powerful batter and off-spinner, is a rising star, and his all-round talents will be missed by Surrey during his IPL stint.
• Topley, a tall left-arm pacer known for his ability to swing the ball and deliver at crucial moments, will be absent for Nottinghamshire.
• Tom Curran, a reliable all-rounder, will also be missed by Surrey during the early part of the County Championship.

Impact on County Championship Squads

The absence of these players, many of whom are key to their county’s fortunes, will undoubtedly have an impact on the early rounds of the County Championship. Teams will need to rely on their squad depth and younger talent to fill the gaps. While the IPL is an exciting opportunity for these players to hone their T20 skills on the global stage, it leaves county teams without some of their star performers. For those engaged in @thecricketdraft, avoiding these players during the IPL period is crucial for maximizing your team’s potential. Keep an eye on squad announcements