Punjab Kings coach Trevor Bayliss has announced that England's Jonny Bairstow will not be part of his squad for the Indian Premier League 2023.
Right-hander Bairstow joined the 2014 table-toppers in the 2022 IPL auction and will be a major loss as the Kings look to improve on their sixth-place finish last time out.
"We wish him a speedy recovery," said Bayliss, whose squad included Bairstow when he guided England to glory at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. "It's a shame not to have a player of his standing."
Here's the injury that has kept Bairstow from playing, who his replacement is and a look at the Kings' schedule.
MORE: Latest betting odds for IPL 2023
Jonny Bairstow injury: What happened?
Bairstow required surgery on a broken left leg and dislocated ankle after slipping while playing golf in September.
The right-hander has not played cricket since, although he was back in training on a running track at the end of February.
"The graft continues but this is a huge step forward," he told his fans at the time. "I cannot tell you how chuffed I am to be doing this."
Last week, Bairstow started batting in the Yorkshire nets with a view to playing some County Championship matches in May.
Jonny Bairstow IPL 2023: When was he due to play?
The 2023 IPL begins on March 31 and the Kings had been hoping that wicket-keeper Bairstow, who they bought for around IND 6.75 crore ($820,000), would be ready in time.
Bairstow scored 253 runs in 11 IPL matches last season, averaging 23 with a strike rate of 144.57 and a highest score of 66.
MORE: Punjab Kings coach for IPL 2023: All you need to know on Trevor Bayliss
The 33-year-old will reportedly miss out on earnings of $797,000 because of his absence, but he expects his recovery to allow him to play for England against Australia in the Ashes in June.
Jonny Bairstow replacement for IPL 2023
Australian all-rounder Matthew Short will play franchise cricket outside his homeland for the first time when the 27-year-old replaces Bairstow.
Short won Player of the Big Bash League in January after impressing for the Adelaide Strikers, scoring 458 runs at an average of more than 35 and a strike rate of more than 144.
The right-hander also took 11 wickets in the T20 competition.
WATCH: 20 Greatest T20 Players Roundtable
