English star batsman opts out of playing.

Eoin Morgan has withdrawn his name from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 auctions. He tweeted saying that he thanks the IPL for accepting his request to withdraw from the event.

Morgan played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in last year’s tournament. He was not retained by the franchise for the seventh edition of the IPL.

I would like to thank @IPL for accepting my request to withdraw from this years auction. Good luck with the tournament.

— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) February 10, 2014

In the wake of England’s horror tour of Australia, where they were outplayed in the Test, one-day and Twenty20 series, star batsman Kevin Pietersen has been the first major player sacked.

See the details and the ECB’s strange response to criticism of their decision to axe Pietersen.

Ahead of vital tours to the West Indies and the Twenty20 World Cup, Morgan’s decision could be seen as a move to ensure English players are not distracted by the IPL, as they look to rebound from one of the darkest periods in recent history.

Eoin Morgan

IPL Batting and Fielding stats