England’s batsman Jason Roy has sensationally withdrawn from this year’s IPL after being bought by Gujarat Lions for Rs. 2 crore in the just-concluded auctions. Roy, according to ESPNcricinfo, pulled out of the IPL citing an extended stay in the tournament bubble.
The 31-year-old South African-born English cricketer had represented Sunrisers Hyderabad last year before playing for Pakistan Super League this year, where he played for the Quetta Gladiators.
Gujarat Titans, one of the two newly formed teams for this year’s IPL, has not decided on Roy’s replacement. But the news of Roy pulling out of the IPL has triggered a debate on mental health. That’s because they argued that a prolonged stay in a bio bubble environment can have an adverse effect on players. Playing for Gujarat Titans would have meant that Roy had spent the entire duration of the tournament without his family including his second son, who was born in January this year.
How are Pakistani fans and journalists going to react to the news of Jason Roy withdrawing from IPL due to bubble fatigue? The same people who were blaming IPL for Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford and others pulling out of PSL earlier. Money can’t buy mental peace. #IPL2022
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 28, 2022
Not to trivialise matters like mental health or bio-bubble fatigue but Jason Roy has ended his chances in the IPL by pulling out. The @IPL doesn’t forget, hence a lot of players like Zampa, Tye and Richardson go unsold. In the case of Roy, he could’ve easily pulled out few days
— The False Nine (@falseninenine) March 1, 2022
The wish of any cricket player who doesn’t play in a T20 tournament due to bubble fatigue should be respected whether it be the PSL or the IPL. Mental satisfaction is key for a players well being. Leave @JasonRoy20 Jason Roy alone if he isn’t playing the IPL !!! #JASONROY
— Adnan Qureshi (@adnanwhiz) March 1, 2022
IPL is too long. It may fetch billions for all stakeholders, but the mental health of players is of utmost significance in the pandemic. I won’t be surprised if more players pull out midway in the league. A month of cricket league is a perfect model in my view #jasonroy https://t.co/kjeltDManr
— SirDonBradman (@BradmanSir) March 1, 2022
Honest question – Why put your name in the auction if you are not 100% sure and going to pull out of the league only in a couple of months?
I feel like it works against the player’s professional reputation as well.#JasonRoy #IPL2022
PS. I do respect & prioritize mental health.— Dhawal (@dhawallj) March 1, 2022
This is the second time that Roy has pulled out of the IPL. He had earlier withdrawn from the 2020 edition due to personal reasons after being picked up by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.5 crore.