Massive blow for RCB ahead of Do-Or-Die vs CSK clash. Two big stars leave camp

Punjab Kings all-rounder Liam Livingstone on Monday returned to England from the ongoing IPL to recover from his knee ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. Along with Livingstone, Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Will Jacks and Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) have also left the IPL to join the England squad ahead of the T20I series against Pakistan starting on May 22. The IPL after managing just four wins in 12 matches and currently sits at the bottom of the table with eight points.

“IPL done for another year, had to prepare my knee for the next World Cup,” Livingstone wrote on his Instagram wall.

“Thank you again to the Punjab Kings fans for all your love and support. Disappointing season as a team and personally, but as always, I loved every minute of playing in the IPL,” he added.

Therefore, Livingstone will not be available for the last two matches of the PBKS tournament against Rajasthan Royals (May 15) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 19).

The injury is not serious but the England management, as per ESPNcricinfo, has decided to give him more time to treat it ahead of the home T20I series against Pakistan.

After that series, the defending champions will travel to the West Indies for their T20 World Cup commitments, starting on June 4 against Scotland in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Livingstone had a poor IPL this season, scoring 111 runs in seven matches and taking just three wickets.

Meanwhile, other English IPL players who are part of the World Cup squad – Moeen Ali (CSK), Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow (PBKS) and Phil Salt (KKR) – will be returning home very soon.