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The wait is almost over as the Indian Premier League 2021 is set to resume from the 19th of September and what a better way to knock off the second phase than the second-placed Chennai Super Kings locking horns with the 5-times IPL title winners Mumbai Indians. 

As a result of the increasing cases in India, the tournament is slated to take place in the middle-eastern Nation, United Arab Emirates, the same hosts that will partly conduct the 2021 T20I World cup. The news of the resumption of the mega event does come as a soothing one to the followers but the second half will, unfortunately, see a few fan favorites miss out owing to various reasons.

Cricwizz, today takes a look at the top signings that have been made by the franchises and the players who will miss out on the intense T20 action.

Top signings made by IPL teams ahead of the second phase of the IPL 2021

Glenn Philips (Rajasthan Royals)

The unavailability of hard-hitting wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler comes as a huge blow for the Rajasthan Royals. However, the management have managed to acquire the best possible replacement for the 30-year old English in the form of another destructive batsman, Glenn Phillips. 

The kiwi is very popular in the domestic circuit and he has also made a huge impact in the National side in his short stint. With the ability to don the gloves, he could be the ideal replacement for the void.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Tim David (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

A string of players misses out for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore. As many as six players have pulled out owing to various reasons ranging from personal to national duty. However, the Bangalore side never fails to intrigue us with their signings. This time around they have probably the best signing in the current lot in form of the World’s second-best T20I bowler Wanindu Hasaranga, from Sri Lanka. 

"We've got an extensive scouting program and Wanindu's certainly been on our radar for a long time,"

- Mike Hesson

He will be accompanied by his fellow countryman Dushmantha Chameera, who also had a wonderful series against the second-string India side. The inclusion of two-spirited youngsters is likely to consolidate the losses for the RCB.

**Sri Lanka cricket are yet to approve Hasaranga and Chameera’s participation in the IPL.

Another interesting addition to the outfit is the 25-year old Tim David of Singapore. The all-rounder becomes the first Singaporean to play in the mega T20 event ensuring the tournament’s global reach has not fainted an inch. David has been a regular in the domestic circuit, representing Lahore Qalandars and Hobart Hurricanes. 

Nathan Ellis and Adil Rashid (Punjab Kings)

Nathan Ellis, the Australian pacer who recently became the first player in the history of T20I to pick a hat-trick on debut will now roll his arm for the Punjab Kings. The Aussie comes in as a replacement for the Aussie pace pair of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith, who have been ruled out owing to national duty. 

The second replacement was confirmed by the Punjab Kings as Adil Rashid. The English spinner who is currently ranked 4th in the ICC T20I bowlers ranking is certainly to be a valuable addition to the squad.  It was indeed surprising that the leggie went unsold at the IPL auctions despite setting himself for a modest base price (1.5 cr) in addition to the exemplary form he has been this year. There is no doubt the 33-year old will be hoping to make full utilization of this oppurtunity.

Tim Southee (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The Kiwi spearhead has been roped in as a replacement for the Aussie all-rounder Pat Cummins, who decided to pull out of the tournament. The experience of Tim Southee is expected to play a vital role for the 2014 IPL title winners. The 32-year old will also have the responsibility of leading the young pace attack of KKR.

Tabraiz Shamsi (Rajasthan Royals)

How can a global event like IPL be complete without the inclusion of the world's best bowler in the shortest format? Yes,  South African on-song spinner Tabraiz Shamsi will be part of the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming second phase. However, the 31-year old's IPL experience has been just four matches, representing the RCB in 2016. Said that, his current form and ability to keep the batsmen under check could add great value to the Royals, who are desperately looking to strengthen their bowling attack.

Players missing out in the second phase of IPL 2021

Punjab Kings

Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith will miss out for Punjab kings as the pace duo will stay back to prepare for the upcoming T20I World Cup. Their unavailability was only confirmed on the 18th of August. 

Kolkata Knight Riders

As far as the Kolkata Knight Riders are considered they will miss out on the all-around services of the Aussie top bowler Pat Cummins as he too will miss out on the same reason as Richardson and Meredith.

Rajasthan Royals

A huge blow for Rajasthan Royals as their key and inform batsman Jos Buttler will not be part of the squad as he and his wife expect their second child. In addition to the dismal, RR will also have to overlook the services of pace engine Jofra Archer, as the 26-year old has been ruled out with a stress fracture which is likely to keep him away at least till the end of this year. 

The availability of Ben Stokes too seems to be somber as the all-rounder has made himself unavailable for an indefinite period from competitive cricket to take care of his mental health.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, and Daniel Sams made themselves unavailable for the second phase after deciding to focus on the ICC T20 WC 2021. While Finn Allen and Scott Kuggelejin miss out as they will be on national duty for New Zealand. 

Players who make a comeback after recovery

Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals)

The Delhi Capitals former skipper Shreyas Iyer is reported to be fit to play and he is likely to make it back to the squad. Iyer was not part of the Delhi Capitals squad after he suffered an elbow injury during the series against Australia in Australia. Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant took over the leading responsibility. However, there has been no update from the DC management on who will be leading the side in the presence of Shreyas Iyer.

Shubman Gill (KKR)

"We are quite hopeful that he will be available for the IPL,"

- KKR CEO, Vicky Mysore

Shubman Gill, who was away from competitive cricket after suffering a shin injury has now been adjourned fit to play by the national cricket academy (NCA). He will be the key player for KKR as they find themselves languishing at the 7th position in the points table. 

More to follow...

Stay tuned with Cricwizz as we bring you unique content round the clock. Do let us know which new signing are you looking forward to watching in action in the upcoming second phase of the Indian Premier League 2021.