IPL Auction 2023: Matt Short replaces injured Bairstow at Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings have made a change to their squad for the upcoming IPL 2023 season. All-rounder Matthew Short has been signed as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow, who sustained a leg injury and will miss the tournament.Punjab tried to level up this blow by acquiring Mattew short as a replacement of Jhonny Bairstow

Bairstow was acquired by Punjab Kings in the ipl auction 2022 for a whopping amount of Rs. 9.75 crores but had a disappointing debut season, scoring only 253 runs from 11 innings at an average of 23 with a strike rate of 144.57. He suffered a broken left leg and dislocated ankle in September 2022 while playing golf with friends, requiring surgery and missing all cricket for England, including the T20 World Cup and tours to Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. He was also set to play for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20.

Meanwhile, Matthew Short had a successful season in the 2022-23 Big Bash League, where he scored over 450 runs at a strike rate of 144 and also picked up 11 wickets as a spinner. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award. Short, a 27-year-old Victorian all-rounder, becomes the second Australian in the Punjab Kings roster for the season, alongside fast bowler Nathan Ellis.