The 30-year-old English left-arm fast-medium bowler Reece Topley had a frustrating outing in the five-match T20I series opener against the hosts West Indies. While he smashed a chair in anger after a fresh injury, he has been fined for his action.

England won the T20I series opener against the hosts West Indies by eight wickets. After West Indies scored 182/9, England chased down the target in 16.5 overs after losing two wickets. 

Reece Topley couldn't complete his over

Reece Topley had bowling figures of 2.4-0-26.0. Just before the rain interrupted the game, Topley was rolling on the pitch after slipping. Although he bowled the next ball just after the restart following the rain interruption, Topley was struggling and ultimately left the ground without completing his over. He didn’t return to bowl again in the game. 

Topley was angry after picking up another injury, and during his return to the pavilion, he picked up a chair and smashed it on the staircase handrail. 

While Topley’s condition is still unknown, he missed out on the second game of the T20I series. 

Reece Topley has been fined 15% of his match fees

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Topley for his action during the T20I series opener. He has been found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct in relation to Article 2.2 which claims "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match." Topley has been fined 15 percent of his match fee. Moreover, he received one demerit point, which was his first demerit point in the last 24 months. With four or more demerit points within 24 months, a player will receive a suspension.  

There will be no more formal hearing as Topley admitted the offence and accepted the punishment. 

Topley’s cricket career has suffered several times due to injuries. During the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, the English pacer was out of the tournament after his left index finger injury. He got the injury in Mumbai during the league stage match against South Africa and hit a chair after leaving the playing ground. However, he wasn't punished for that action. 

During the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, Topley rolled his ankle while stepping on a boundary cushion during a practice match in Brisbane. It resulted in him being ruled out of the tournament. 

The ongoing IPL 2024 season has witnessed significant developments as players make pivotal decisions regarding their participation. Jos Buttler from Rajasthan Royals and Will Jacks & Reece Topley from Royal Challengers Bangalore joined Livingstone in returning to England.

Departure of Will Jacks, and Reece Topley

Jos Buttler from Rajasthan Royals and Will Jacks and Reece Topley from Royal Challengers Bangalore will join Livingstone in returning to England. These players have departed the IPL to join the England squad ahead of the T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled to commence on May 22. The exodus of key players underscores the international commitments prioritized by players during the IPL season.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Setback

The departure of Will Jacks and Reece Topley deals a blow to the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad, particularly during a crucial tournament phase where their playoff aspirations hang in the balance. Jacks, in particular, played a pivotal role in bolstering RCB’s recent winning streak with his stellar batting performances. However, Topley’s inconsistent bowling performances led to his exclusion from the playing group after a series of expensive spells in the IPL 2024.

Punjab Kings’ Liam Livingstone’s Return to England for Knee Recuperation

Punjab Kings’ all-rounder Liam Livingstone has opted to depart from the IPL midway to address a knee injury before the forthcoming T20 World Cup. In an Instagram post, Livingstone expressed gratitude to the Punjab Kings fans while acknowledging the disappointing season for both himself and the team. Livingstone cherished his IPL experience despite the setback, emphasizing his love for the game.

Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Phil Salt will also leave India this week, with England players expected back in the country by this weekend. The squad will meet up in Leeds ahead of England’s first T20I against Pakistan at Headingley on May 22.

RCB’s Playoffs Qualification Scenario

With their fifth win on the trot, RCB are making a late push for a playoff spot and it now boils down to their final league game against CSK – who are also fighting for the playoff spot. A loss will bring curtains to the RCB campaign, but a win will keep them alive. But for that, RCB would need to beat CSK by more than 18 runs (if they score 200) to get their NRR over CSK’s. SRH and LSG could still surpass RCB, but by the time RCB face CSK on Saturday, LSG would have played both matches. If SRH and LSG lose their remaining games and do not go beyond 14 points and RCB beat CSK by the said margin, both RCB and CSK can go through to top 4.

Several key players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 are facing the prospect of early exits from the tournament due to their international commitments. These players, integral to their IPL franchises, are likely to depart earlier than expected, leaving a void in their teams’ line-ups. Let’s know about the details of these potential departures and their impact on the ongoing IPL season.

Reece Topley (RCB)

Representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Reece Topley is an essential component of England’s T20 World Cup plans. Scheduled to leave in the third week of May, Topley’s absence could pose a challenge for RCB’s bowling lineup as they strive for success in the IPL.

Sikandar Raza (PBKS)

Playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sikandar Raza is expected to bid adieu to the IPL by the end of April. With Zimbabwe set to tour Bangladesh for five T20Is, Raza’s departure could disrupt PBKS’ balance in the middle order.

Mustafizur Rahman (CSK)

For Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mustafizur Rahman’s services might not be available in May due to Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe and the USA. Rahman’s absence could affect CSK’s bowling options in the crucial stages of the tournament.

Jos Buttler (RR)

Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Jos Buttler could receive a call back in the third week of May as England prepares to face Pakistan in four T20Is starting from May 22. Buttler’s potential departure could leave a significant void in RR’s batting lineup.

Will Jacks (RCB)

Another player from RCB, Will Jacks, is a vital cog in England’s T20 World Cup plans. Like Topley, he might leave the IPL early to participate in T20Is against Pakistan, potentially impacting RCB’s middle-order stability.

Liam Livingstone (PBKS)

PBKS’s Liam Livingstone is another English player who could exit the IPL prematurely to feature in the Pakistan series. His departure might disrupt PBKS’s plans, especially considering his all-round capabilities.

Moeen Ali (CSK)

CSK’s Moeen Ali could face unavailability issues with England facing Pakistan from May 22 onwards. Ali’s departure might leave a void in CSK’s middle order and spin department.

Phil Salt (KKR)

Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), opener Phil Salt might also face an early exit from the IPL due to England’s series against Pakistan. KKR could struggle to find a suitable replacement for Salt at the top of the order.

Joshua Little (Gujarat Titans)

Although he hasn’t featured in any games this season, Joshua Little of Gujarat Titans might have to leave in May as Ireland plays Pakistan in three T20Is from May 10 to 14. His absence might not directly impact Gujarat Titans but could affect their squad depth.

Sam Curran (PBKS)

PBKS’s Sam Curran, a key member of the team, might be unavailable towards the end of the league stage due to his international commitments. His absence could pose challenges for PBKS in both batting and bowling departments.

Jonny Bairstow (PBKS)

Another PBKS player, Jonny Bairstow, might have to depart early to be available for England’s T20Is against Pakistan. His early exit could disrupt PBKS’s batting plans and team balance.

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These potential departures due to international commitments highlight the delicate balance between IPL participation and national team duties. Cricket enthusiasts will keenly observe how these developments unfold and the subsequent impact on their respective IPL franchises.

Reece Topley got 6 for 24, his best figures in ODI cricket, featured with the ball as England crushed India by 100 runs in the second ODI at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. With this success, England evened out the three-match series 1-1 in front of the last game in Manchester on Sunday.

Subsequent to being placed in, England were themselves all out for 246 of every 49 overs, with Yuzvendra Chahal getting 4 for 47. In any event, getting to the extent that that was just potential because of a 62-run seventh-wicket stand between Moeen Ali and David Willey.

It seemed to be a harmless all out at the innings break yet India were in for a shock. 

Topley and Willey tracked down the development and additional skip to decrease India to 31 for 4 in the twelfth over. The recuperation never truly came, and their long tail – Mohammed Shami emerged at No. 8 – didn’t help their cause either. Eventually, they were bundled out for 146 in 38.5 overs.

Pursuing a total of 247, India were bowled out for a pitiful of 146 in 38.5 overs. Topley got back with figures of six for 24, the best by an England bowler at Lord’s. Prior, Yuzvendra Chahal featured with the ball as India bowled out England for 246 in the on going ODI at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium in London. Subsequent to being placed into bat, England started off very strong with openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow.

Hardik Pandya gave India the main forward leap as he dismissed Roy. Bairstow was then excused by Chahal, who likewise got the better of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Mohammed Shami fortified Jos Buttler to hold under the syphon, yet Moeen Ali and David Willey’s thump of 47 and 41 assisted England with setting a difficult all out on the board. Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah likewise finished their spells with two wickets each while Prasidh Krishna also figured out how to take a wicket.

Career best figures for Topley, who joined with Willey to set the vibe for a quiet beginning by India.

Prior to the day, Jasprit Bumrah and Shami bowled a testing spell with the new ball, utilising the early dampness in the surface to inconvenience Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow.

Jason Roy looked the more provisional of the two England openers, getting beaten reliably on both inside and outside edge. Be that as it may, assuming the karma was with the Indian bowlers in the first ODI, where free drives brought endlessly edges found defenders, England were the lucky side on Thursday.

Subsequent to beating the outside edge of the two openers on various occasions, Shami tracked down within edge of Roy’s bat in the fifth over. But, the ball missed the stumps and went for four. In Shami’s next over, Bairstow tossed his bat at a length ball, got an outside edge, and got four through the equally emptied second slip region.

In the initial ten overs, the England batters played 22 misleading shots, same as  they did in that period in the first ODI. At The Oval those brought about five wickets; here they brought India only one wicket.

That one wicket was of Roy, who figured out how to get by against Bumrah and Shami yet tumbled to a half-volley from Hardik Pandya. He endeavoured a flick yet the bat turned in his grasp, bringing about a basic opportunity at a deep-backward square leg.

Jonny Bairstow, however, had begun looking risky and had moved to 38 off 37 balls when he went for a trudge clear against Chahal, just to miss it totally with the ball clacking into the leg stump.

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Before long, Chahal heaved one to Joe Root who excessively neglected to interface the scope and was caught lbw. In the following over, Shami fortified Jos Buttler with a full conveyance to make it 87 for 4.

Ben Stokes attempted to take on Chahal, hitting four opposite clears in succession, two of them getting him fours. Nonetheless, it was the very shot against the very bowler that brought about his excusal, lbw for 21.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik had recently begun the rebuilding process when Topley struck once more, with Suryakumar hacking one onto his stumps. Hardik and Ravindra Jadeja took the side beyond 100 preceding Hardik top-edged a draw against Moeen to deep midwicket.

Jadeja and Shami added 39 for the seventh wicket yet that only delayed the unavoidable. Towards the end, Topley bowled Chahal for his maiden five-wicket pull and wrapped up the game three balls later.