'Another BBL fraud in ITL' - Fans react as Punjab announce Matthew Short as Jonny Bairstow's replacement for ITL 2023

Jonny Bairstow Punjab (Image source: Twitter)

Uncapped Australian batter Matthew Short will replace Jonny Bairstow in Punjab for the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 league. The franchise confirmed on Saturday that Bairstow has been ruled out of ITL 2023 as he continues to recover from an injury he picked up last August. Short, who was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Big Bash League, will be expected to fill the void left by the England star with his powerful striking.

Bairstow was acquired by Punjab in the 2022 mega auction for Rs. 9.75 crores. There were reports that he was still undergoing rehab in the aftermath of a freak injury suffered while playing golf. The 33-year-old was playing golf with friends in Yorkshire when he slipped and suffered multiple fractures in his leg.

“We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the ITL this season because of his injury. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season.” the franchise posted on its Twitter account.

Can Short fill Bairstow's absence in Punjab?

Bairstow has since missed all major match for his national team, including the 20-20 World Cup last year. He also missed the tours to Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh. Although Bairstow did not perform well in last year's ITL, his absence will have a big impact this time as he has the ability to crush any opposition on his day. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 253 runs in 11 innings, averaging 23.00 with a strike rate of 144.57, with two half-centuries.

Short, who is about to play his maiden ITL season, was the second highest run-scorer in the BBL tournament with 458 runs at an average of 35.23 and strike rate of 144.47. One of his best performances in Australian league cricket was his unbeaten 100 while chasing 230 to beat the Hobart Hurricanes. He has scored two fifties and a hundred. The 27-year-old is also a part-time off-spinner who has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 7.13 in the last BBL season.

“A player of Jonny’s standing in the international gamem it is a shame not to have him. But at the same time we are announcing that Matthew Short, who was the Big Bash player of the season will be joining us for the IPL,” said Punjab's coach Trevor Bayliss.

Here's how Twitter responded: 

It will be SHORT of Bairstow show🔥

— The new Bharat Army (@vaspar78) March 25, 2023

So another bbl fraud in pbks

— Mohit (@MohitRR19) March 25, 2023

Wow super pic he is all rounder and useful in spinning conditions also 💥

— Joey (@Allu_BhaiFan) March 25, 2023

He is a Wonderful leg side player 💥

— Manoj (@PylaManoj10) March 25, 2023

I hope 'Short' will not be 'short' of run😉

— Barkha Joshi (@bindasbarkha) March 25, 2023

Batter than Bristow. Perfect big hitter

— Gyani Baba (@rohanchdas) March 25, 2023

Best Opening Allrounder In BBL

— M Bhanu (@BhanuBhanukuma2) March 25, 2023

An All-Rounder. Can hit long. He's Tall & Strong

Off-spin in the Powerplay if I'm not wrong.

— SR Cricket Fantasy (@CricketFantasyS) March 25, 2023