IPL 2023: Bhanuka Rajapaksa injury update - 'Hopefully he would be alright by next game', says Wasim Jaffer

IPL 2023: Hard-hitting Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa retired out on one after he was hit flush on his right arm by opening partner Shikhar Dhawan in the match against Rajasthan Royal (RR) on Wednesday.

The southpaw walking out of the field in pain left the Punjab camps sweating. Notably, the side has already lost Jonny Bairstow to injury and the uncertainty over Liam Livingstone's availability remains. However, the team's batting coach Wasim Jaffer has played down any major injury concerns.

In the post-match press-conference following Punjab' second-consecutive win of the IPL 2023 season, Jaffer said that the 31-year-old Sri Lankan would hopefully be alright by the next game.

“He had a muscular injury. Hopefully he should be alright by the next game," Jaffer said.

Shikhar Dhawan smacks one back, unfortunately hitting Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan batter is retired hurt on 1*(1). pic.twitter.com/JlCIYbjIk9

— AS (@CricSamraj) April 5, 2023

When asked about South African pacer Kagiso Rabada and Livingstone’s availability, the former India opener said, “Rabada probably will be available, probably not Livingstone…I’m not too sure about it.”

Fearless Prabhsimran boon for Punjab Kings in Bairstow's absence: Jaffer

Further, Jaffer hailed young opener Prabhsimran Singh (60 off 34) for his blazing 28-ball fifty. He asserted that the 22-year-old's fearless attitude is much needed for Punjab in the absence of Bairstow.

“He’s been a fabulous player but no matter how good you are, you need a consistent run so he can play a lot more fearlessly.

“He’s always been a good player and it’s good that it’s come good, which is a good sign because we don’t have Bairstow. Somebody at the top bats like that so I’m really happy for him,” he added.

Jaffer also praised Dhawan for his perfectly paced innings which saw him score 30 runs off the first 30 balls and then accumulating next 56 runs off just 26 balls.

“I think when Prabsimran was going so well he obviously knew that he could take his time to fiddle. That’s where experience counts”

“When Prabsimran got out he (Shikhar) took the chance and batted through the innings. We wanted somebody from the top 3 batters to play till 18-19 overs and he did exactly that,” he added.