Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday (September 13) dealt with a big blow as their star all-rounder Chris Woakes pulled out of the second phase of IPL 2021, scheduled to be played in UAE from September 19 to October 15.

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Taking to Twitter, DC confirmed that Woakes won't be available for the remainder of IPL 2021 due to personal reasons and named Australian fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis as his replacement.

“Dwarshuis will be joining the Delhi Capitals team bio-bubble in the UAE soon,” the franchise said in a statement.

Dwarshuis is yet to feature in the IPL but he boasts an impressive record in the shortest format. The 27-year-old has 100 T20 wickets to his name from 82 matches at an average of 23.73. He plays for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

Chris Woakes, however, will be a big miss for the Capitals with his all-round skills on offer. In the first half of IPL 2021, he featured in three games, taking five wickets and scoring 15 runs for DC.

Woakes isn’t the first England cricketer to opt out of the UAE-leg of IPL 2021. Recently, Punjab Kings’ Dawid Malan and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Jonny Bairstow also withdrew their names.