Kane Richardson withdraws from IPL

Australia seamer Kane Richardson, who was retained by Rajasthan Royals, ahead of the 2015 season, has opted out of the IPL citing personal reasons. The franchise is yet to name a replacement, although they were well stocked in pace-bowling options with the likes of captain Shane Watson, Tim Southee, James Faulkner, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rusty Theron, Chris Morris, Ben Cutting and Stuart Binny.

Richardson has played 10 matches in IPL, including seven of the Royals' 14 last season, for 11 wickets at an economy of 7.9. More recently, he took 10 wickets from nine matches for Adelaide Strikers in BBL.

Sadly will be missing this years IPL due to personal reasons. Thanks to the @rajasthanroyals for their support. Good luck! #AlwaysARoyal

— Kane Richardson (@KRichardson63) April 3, 2015

Following the precedent set in 2013, Sri Lankan players will not feature in any of the matches played in Chennai during this season's IPL. According to a BCCI insider, the measure is only a "precautionary" move, keeping in mind the security of Sri Lankan players and match officials.

The players and teams that will be affected by this diktat are Delhi Daredevils' Angelo Mathews, Kings XI Punjab's Thisara Perera, and Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga.

In 2013, the state government of Tamil Nadu had written to the Indian Prime Minister asking for a ban on Sri Lankan players' involvement in the Chennai leg of the IPL. It was reacting to the growing political tensions, stemming from the treatment of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.