Ben Stokes replacement: Rassie van der Dussen to represent Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021

Rassie van der Dussen to represent Rajasthan Royals: The South African batsman is all set to make his debut in the Indian Premier League.

Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals have named South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen as a replacement for all-rounder Ben Stokes in the ongoing season of the IPL.

It was during the fourth match of this season that Stokes had suffered a broken hand while attempting to complete a diving catch to dismiss Chris Gayle against Punjab Kings. Stokes, who completed the catch but couldn’t avoid an injury, subsequently returned to England to commence rehabilitation.

Other than Stokes, England batsman Liam Livingstone also returned home days before a travel ban on flights from India due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in India. In such a situation, Royals were expected to name at least one replacement player.

Rassie van der Dussen to represent Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021

In his 20-match T20I career, van der Dussen has scored 628 runs at an average and strike rate of 41.86 and 138.63 respectively. In addition to his four T20I half-centuries, van der Dussen also has three T20 centuries and 26 half-centuries to his name.

While 32-year old van der Dussen has never played in the IPL in the past, his 126 T20 match experience sees him having stints for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Jozi Stars in the recent years.

At Royals, van der Dussen will compete with his South African teammate in David Miller for the overseas batsman’s spot. It is worth mentioning that van der Dussen’s arrival date in India remains unknown at this point in time. Much like all other overseas players, van der Dussen will have to undergo a week-long quarantine period upon reaching India.