Livingstone to miss Punjab Kings' IPL 2023 opener

Punjab Kings will be without Liam Livingstone in their opening game against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1 as the spin-bowling all-rounder is yet to get a green signal from the ECB after recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December, the PTI reported on Wednesday (March 29).

The 29-year-old, who hasn’t played any competitive cricket since December 2022, suffered a knee injury during the Test series in Pakistan. Earlier, he had also sustained an ankle injury during the Hundred competition last year.

"He is out of the first game at least as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status. He should be available from the second game onwards," an IPL source told PTI.

Last season, Livingstone smoked 437 runs in 14 innings at an average of 36.41 and a strike rate of 182.08. On top of that, he also claimed six wickets with his offspin and legspin, making him a crucial member of the Punjab set-up.

Apart from Livingstone, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada is also set to miss the first game. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow has already been ruled out of the entire competition. In their absence, the likes of Sikandar Raza and Nathan Ellis could get some game-time.