The Indian Premier league was on Friday robbed of some sheen after premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and a host of top Indian players pulled out of the event's 10th edition beginning on April 5, owing to a gruelling international season.
There were unconfirmed reports that Bangladesh's left-arm 'cutter master' Mustafizur Rahaman, who was instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPl triumph, may also skip the cash-rich event.
Ashwin, who was set to represent Rising Pune Supergiants, will be missing the tournament due to recurrence of sports hernia while Test team openers Murali Vijay (last year's captain of Kings XI Punjab) and lokesh Rahul (RCB) are all set to miss the league due to imminent shoulder surgeries.
It was also learnt that Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is also recuperating from a knee injury but may be available from the first match.
Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Umesh Yadav and Gujarat lions' biggest draw Ravindra Jadeja also need rest after an exacting home season. Umesh, Rohit and Jadeja are automatic selections in India's Champions Trophy squad. However, both Jadeja and Umesh will play the bulk of the matches but may be given some time to freshen up, when their respective franchises play the first few games.
All this after skipper Virat Kohli, inarguably the biggest draw of the glamorous event, is set to miss a few matches due to shoulder injury.
A 100 per cent fit Ashwin is a must for India in the upcoming Champions Trophy in England from June 1 and playing 14 matches with little gap and lot of travelling would have only aggravated his problem.
The 30-year-old all-rounder has featured in all the 13 home Test matches this season. He has had an unbelievable workload of bowling a staggering 738.2 overs in which he has taken an astounding 82 wickets.
It is the highest by any Indian bowler in a season, contributing handsomely in bulk of India's 10 Test victories. Jadeja, who is expected to be rested in a few IPl games, has also bowled no less than 717.2 overs, getting 71 wickets. Fast bowler Umesh has sent down 355.5 overs in 12 games with 30 wickets to his name. One has to take into account that Umesh's overs were bowled in Indian conditions where, save Kolkata and Dharamsala, the wickets were not exactly conducive to fast bowling.
In case of Rahul and Vijay, both have had injury issues, especially shoulder, during the home season. In fact, a source close to the team management had once revealed that whenever Rahul played a lofted shot, he would get a jerk on his shoulder and physio Patrick Farhart needed to come to his rescue.
There were also reports that the Indian team management had a discussion with IPl authorities and accordingly the BCCI is trying to ensure that the players don't get jaded by the time Champions Trophy starts where Kohli's boys will be defending the title they won in 2013.
AB to lead if Kohli is unavailable
Bengaluru: AB de Villiers is likely to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore in the initial phase of Indian Premier league 10 in case Virat Kohli fails to recover from a shoulder injury.
Regarding Kohli, RCB coach Daniel Vettori said, "Right now, we don't have a clear picture on his availability. We will know in the next few days. The likely scenario is that AB de Villiers will take over the duties, but we will answer that once we find out if Virat is out."
The Indian captain will join the team on April 2, but his availability will depend on the health assessment of BCCI doctors and physios, Vettori said.
"He will come in on April 2. Between now and then, BCCI doctors and physio will speak to us and our medical staff will get a clearer picture," he said.
Kohli hurt his right shoulder during the third Test of the series against Australia in Ranchi.
Owing to these injuries, Sarfaraz Khan could get an opportunity early on in the tournament, for he has been really good this domestic season, Vettori said.
"Sarfaraz has been really good. At the back end of the domestic season he started to put some runs on the board. Everyone knows how talented he is. With possible injuries, he could get an opportunity early on in the tournament," he said.
Vettori also said the side has enough bench strength to manage in Kohli's absence as its boasts of some exceptional batsmen including Sarfaraz and Mandeep Singh, who haven't had many chances coming their way.
"Fortunately, we have a number of exceptional batsmen who haven't got many playing chances, like Sarfaraz Khan and Mandeep Singh. It is a huge asset for us that someone else can fill in those gaps," he said.
Vettori said Kohli and Kl Rahul are accustomed to the rigours of international schedule.
"They are accustomed to this. Virat has played for the country for so long, so he is familiar with the rigours of international schedule and the IPl. Yet, he still performs well like we saw last year," he said.
"Kl too was part of the Test squad in the past. Most important thing is that they are fit and prepared for this. If we give small mental breaks for them now and then (it will be enough). Physically, I think they will be fine. We will just try to keep it as relaxed and calm as possible," he said.
Vettori said it is important that players get rest because they have to play about 15 matches and managing them becomes that much important.
"It is going to be an incredibly busy April because we have to play around 15 games. Managing players is important. Possibly more than anything is giving the rest that players need. We won't overdo it. For now, we'll build up to a great game on the fifth," he said.