The IPL 2020 was full of ups and downs for Virat Kohli led team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Though they managed to enter the play-offs, they couldn’t continue their journey further and once again disappointed their fans who are eagerly waiting for their favourite team to win the maiden IPL title.
The IPL 2021 will be starting in March-April but there is a bad news for the RCB fans as Dale Steyn has announced that he is pulling out of this year’s IPL. He has made it clear that he doesn’t want to play for any other team as well because he wants to take a break; however at the same time, he also clarifies that he is not taking retirement either.
Here’s what Dale Steyn’s tweet 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. 🤙”
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. 🤙
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 2, 2021
The South African pacer has made himself available for the other franchise tournaments but he has decided to refrain from playing in the IPL and he made this information public on Twitter as well.
He tweeted,
“I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself a 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”
I will be playing in other leagues, nicely spaced out to give myself a 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 🤙
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 2, 2021
RCB also responded soon and wrote a heartwarming reply for the pacer as it tweeted, “You will be missed, Dale Steyn! Thank you for the memories and keep rooting for us. 🙏🏼🤗”
You will be missed, Dale Steyn! Thank you for the memories and keep rooting for us. 🙏🏼🤗 https://t.co/7b4WZ348wZ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 2, 2021
Dale Steyn started playing for RCB in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 and since then, he has also played for three other franchises – Deccan Chargers (doesn’t exist now), Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions (doesn’t exist now).
Dale Steyn made a comeback in RCB in the year 2019 after getting bought for the price of Rs. 2 crores but he failed miserably in both the seasons as in 2019, he suffered an injury and in 2020, he was dropped from the playing XI due to his poor form.
It is certainly true that Dale Steyn is one of the best pacers we have seen and his fans will miss him badly in the IPL 2021.