Dale Steyn shocks fans; exits IPL 2021 to join Pakistan Super League

India and Australia are engaged in an intense battle, in the third Test in Sydney, for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Test is already in the wrong books, as a couple of Indian players have alleged that they have been at the receiving end of racial abuse, at the SCG.

<p>South African pacer, Dale Steyn has shocked his fans, as he has registered his name in the draft for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). It comes as a shock because a few days back, he had pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, as he wished to take a break from the sport during the phase.</p>

South African pacer, Dale Steyn has shocked his fans, as he has registered his name in the draft for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). It comes as a shock because a few days back, he had pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, as he wished to take a break from the sport during the phase.

<p>Steyn had announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2019 to focus on limited-overs. However, persistent injuries have led to his form being hampered, while he is not a regular member of the Proteas squad, for now.</p>

Steyn had announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2019 to focus on limited-overs. However, persistent injuries have led to his form being hampered, while he is not a regular member of the Proteas squad, for now.

<p>Nonetheless, he continues to play domestic Twenty20 (T20) leagues worldwide, including the IPL, where he last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in 2020. He also played for Islamabad United in the PSL, last year.</p>

Nonetheless, he continues to play domestic Twenty20 (T20) leagues worldwide, including the IPL, where he last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in 2020. He also played for Islamabad United in the PSL, last year.

<p>As for his pullout from the IPL, Steyn had written on his Twitter, which read, “Cricket tweet. Just a short message to let everyone know that I’ve made myself unavailable for RCB at this years IPL, I’m also not planning on playing for another team, just taking some time off during that period. Thank you to RCB for understanding. No, I’m not retired.”</p>

As for his pullout from the IPL, Steyn had written on his Twitter, which read, “Cricket tweet. Just a short message to let everyone know that I’ve made myself unavailable for RCB at this years IPL, I’m also not planning on playing for another team, just taking some time off during that period. Thank you to RCB for understanding. No, I’m not retired.”

<p>“I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself an opportunity to do something’s I’ve been excited about as well as continue to play the game I love so much. NO, I’m NOT retired. Here’s to a great 2021,” the tweet added.</p>

“I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself an opportunity to do something’s I’ve been excited about as well as continue to play the game I love so much. NO, I’m NOT retired. Here’s to a great 2021,” the tweet added.

<p>It is unknown why Steyn has opted to participate in the PSL, rather than the lucrative IPL. However, it is presumed that RCB would have released him and is likely to go unsold, owing to his rough patch, of late.</p>

It is unknown why Steyn has opted to participate in the PSL, rather than the lucrative IPL. However, it is presumed that RCB would have released him and is likely to go unsold, owing to his rough patch, of late.

<p>Steyn’s name in the PSL draft has been placed in the platinum category, alongside Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, and Chris Gayle. The new season is slated to get underway from February 20, while the final would be played on March 22, in Lahore.</p>

Steyn’s name in the PSL draft has been placed in the platinum category, alongside Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, and Chris Gayle. The new season is slated to get underway from February 20, while the final would be played on March 22, in Lahore.