Injured Nathan Coulter-Nile flies home for rehab
The fast bowler had missed two of the Royals' games after suffering a side strain
ESPNcricinfo staff
06-Apr-2022
Nathan Coulter-Nile pulled up while bowling in Royals' first game and had to go off the field • BCCI
Rajasthan Royals' fast-bowling allrounder Nathan Coulter-Nile has returned to Australia for rehabilitation after suffering a side strain during the team's opening match in IPL 2022, against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 29.
"Unfortunately, I have the hard task of wishing him farewell," Royals' head physio John Gloster said in a video posted by the franchise on Twitter. "It's always hard to lose someone, particularly when it's through injury. And you know we were really looking forward to spending a lot of time with you [Coulter-Nile] throughout this tournament.
"Unfortunately, that's not going to be. But you are a big part of us. Anything you need from us, we are always here. We look forward to having you back with us, whenever that might be."
Until we meet again, NCN.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 6, 2022
Speedy recovery. #RoyalsFamily | #HallaBol | @coulta13 pic.twitter.com/XlcFUcTg5L
Coulter-Nile hurt himself during the final over of Sunrisers' innings when he pulled up in his follow-through. He didn't bowl anymore, and walked off the field. He has sat out Royals' following games.
He had been bought by the franchise for INR 2 crore [USD 266,000 approx.] in the February mega auction. Having been a part of the IPL since 2013, he has picked up a total of 48 wickets from 39 matches in the tournament, at an economy of 7.70.
Coulter-Nile has a history of serious injuries, and has been forced to leave the IPL before also. In 2014, when he was a Delhi Daredevils [now Capitals] player, he had to cut short his time with the team because of a hamstring injury, which required surgery. Last year, too, he struggled with a calf injury, and had to miss out on game time.
Royals are yet to announce a replacement for him.