It's been only a few days since IPL 2020 began, but key players of several franchises have already sustained injuries, some of them serious ones. ESPNcricinfo draws up a ready reckoner of the injuries and the status of the players' recovery, based on information available from the franchises.
Mumbai Indians
What is the injury?
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma stated at the toss during the IPL 2020 opener against Chennai Super Kings that the Australian fast-bowling allrounder had a "few niggles". It has since emerged that he has a side strain.
How does it impact the team?
Trent Boult and James Pattinson have been doing the job alongside Jasprit Bumrah, but along with what he can do with the ball, Coulter-Nile is a useful batsman down the order. Mumbai would want his momentum-changing cameos with the bat, to go with this formidable new-ball bowling skills, in their line-up.
When is he likely to return?
Word is that Coulter-Nile will have to sit out Mumbai's first few matches at least.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
What is the injury?
Mike Hesson, the director of cricket operations, said in a franchise social media video that Morris had missed the opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad because he had "picked up a slight side strain a few days ago".
What is the impact on the team?
Morris is a multi-faceted cricketer, and vastly experienced in the shortest format, and key to Royal Challengers' team balance as a lower-middle order batsman and someone who can bowl at any stage of a T20 innings. As Hesson said, "He would have played a huge role through the middle and also at the death (with the ball), and obviously his batting would have had a huge impact as well."
When is he likely to return?
Nothing confirmed, but Hesson is hoping Morris will be available for selection within a game or two.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
What is the injury?
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner said Williamson had a quadriceps injury. It is understood Williamson pulled a muscle while training.
What is the impact on the team?
In their opening match of the tournament, against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, Sunrisers were forced to play two young Indian batsmen in Abhishek Sharma and Priyam Garg. Williamson usually floats in the top order, and his absence left the middle order thin.
When is he likely to return?
The team management has not provided any updates yet, but Williamson's injury is understood to not be serious.
Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the tournament after twisting his right ankle in his very first over in his team's first match while attempting to stop the ball in his follow through. He has been replaced by Jason Holder.
Delhi Capitals
What is the injury?
Back spasms. It is understood Sharma felt soreness in his back during the team's training a day before the Kings XI match.
What is the impact on the team?
His ability to generate pace upwards of 140kph, combined with his accuracy and experience, helped Sharma make an impact in his first year at the Capitals last season. Having added a knuckle ball to his arsenal, Sharma was utilised at various stages of the innings, including the death. On the pace-friendly grassy pitches that the initial phase of the IPL is likely to offer, Sharma could be a key weapon.
When is he likely to return?
Sharma did not come to the ground for the Capitals' match on Sunday and has not trained since he picked up the back niggle. No further information could be obtained from the franchise.
What is the injury?
Attempting to stop a single off the last ball of his first over in IPL 2020, also his debut for his new franchise Delhi Capitals, Ashwin dislocated his left shoulder on Sunday. He walked off immediately and did not return.
What is the impact on the team?
Ashwin had made a telling impact against against the Kings XI Punjab in the six deliveries he bowled, picking up two wickets. In his absence, the Capitals were forced to rejig their bowling plans, asking pacers Mohit Sharma and Marcus Stoinis to bowl at the death, which allowed Kings XI to bounce back into the match which spilled into a Super Over.
When is he likely to return?
Ashwin put out a tweet on Monday stating that the "scan reports are encouraging" and that his pain had subsided. The Capitals could, therefore, be optimistic about his return for their next match, on September 25 against the Super Kings.
I was in pain as I left the field last night, but the pain has settled down and the scan reports are pretty encouraging too. Thanks for all your love and support. #IPL2020
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) September 21, 2020
Chennai Super Kings
What is the injury?
MS Dhoni initially said, before the Super Kings' second game, that Rayudu was "not 100%", but ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the batsman is suffering from a "hamstring niggle".
What is the impact on the team?
The Super Kings won their first game, against Mumbai, with Rayudu playing the lead role with the bat, and then lost to Rajasthan Royals when Rayudu didn't play. Major reshuffling of the batting order was needed to make up for his absence, and his replacement, Ruturaj Gaikwad, fell for a first-ball duck.
When is he likely to return?
Rayudu will sit out at least one more game.
What is the injury?
Bravo picked a knee problem during the CPL, where he played for Trinbago Knight Riders. Bravo did not bowl in the CPL final, and arrived injured for the IPL.
What is the impact on the team?
Bravo is an an allrounder, but his key role is to bowl in the second part of the innings for the Super Kings, especially in the death phase where he is one of the best. Luckily for the Super Kings, Sam Curran walked off the plane a day before the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians last Saturday, and never let the franchise feel the absence of Bravo with a brilliant all-round performance. Stephen Fleming, Super Kings' head coach, said that both Curran and Bravo would be utilised in similar roles through the tournament.
When is he likely to return?
Fleming indicated that Bravo would miss the first two matches including Tuesday's contest against the Royals. Fleming also indicated that there was no necessity to rush back Bravo with Curran proving to be a catalyst in the first match.