England fast bowler Gus Atkinson withdrawn from IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders

Atkinson had been picked up for the first time in a £95,000 deal at the most recent auction, but after a busy winter of touring has opted out in consultation with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The 26-year-old has not played a vast amount of competitive games over the winter – six ODIs and one T20 appearance since the middle of October – but has racked up plenty of miles on the road.

He has yet to feature in the Test tour of India but by the end of the five-match series will have spent four months travelling the country, including the dreadful World Cup campaign at the end of last year.

The Surrey quick recently signed a two-year central contract with the ECB and a spokesperson confirmed the decision to remove him from the IPL was down to "workload management and rest".

Test captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root also opted out of this year's IPL to focus on their international duties, with Jofra Archer also protected as he continues a torturous rehabilitation from injury.

Knight Riders, meanwhile, have announced Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera as Atkinson's replacement.

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