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Steyn, Morkel lose their IPL contracts

Cape Town - Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel are among some 40 players that have been axed by their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.

According to the IPL website, the two South African fast bowlers were released from their contracts as the eight IPL franchises reduce their rosters for the upcoming season.

Kolkata Knight Riders, who are coached by former Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis, have given Morkel the boot along with other notable stars including Jason Holder, John Hastings and Colin Munro.

The Gujarat Lions have decided to release Steyn along with a number of local players, including Amit Mishra.

Steyn already ruled himself out of next year's IPL in order to return to the Proteas side for their England tour after sustaining a shoulder injury in Australia.

The Rising Pune Supergiants have released 10 players, including former Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel and former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Kings XI Punjab have also said farewell to Kyle Abbott and Farhaan Behardien, while Imran Tahir was released from his Delhi Daredevils contract.

Other South Africans released from their IPL contracts include Marchant de Lange from the Mumbai Indians and David Wiese from the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Despite their release from their franchises, those without a contract can still be picked up during the auction for next season, which will be held in Bengaluru on February 4, 2017.

However, there were a couple of South Africans retained by their respective franchises namely, AB de Villiers and Tabraiz Shamsi for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock for the Delhi Daredevils, David Miller and Hashim Amla for the Kings XI Punjab, and Faf du Plessis for the Rising Pune Supergiants.

The 10th edition of the IPL is set to run from April 5 to May 21, 2017.

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