In a remarkable anecdote from his Indian Premier League (IPL) days, England fast bowler Mark Wood has shared how a franchise owner went to extraordinary lengths to get him on the field despite a severe illness.
Speaking on BBC's Strategic Timeout podcast, the veteran pacer recounted being struck down by a high fever after playing just five games for his IPL team. With a crucial match looming in three days, the owner, whom Wood did not name, pulled out all the stops to ensure his availability. Wood described the intense medical attention he received.
"I wasn't very well after about five games, and the (next) game was in about three days' time. Every half an hour, the doctor would stay back, come to my room, check on my vitals," Wood said.
The owner
personally followed up multiple times. When Wood explained he was still bedridden and unable to eat or drink, the response was immediate and lavish: more doctors were arranged. But the most astonishing offer came the following day.
"I remember one day the owner ringing me, 'How're you feeling? Ready to go?' and I said, 'Honestly, I've eaten and drunk nothing, I still can't get out of bed'. He went, 'We'll get you another doctor, we'll do this and that'," Wood recalled.
He continued: "Next day, it's the owner again, 'How are you feeling?', and I said, 'Honestly, I'm still not good'. He then said, 'I'll send a private plane, you get in the plane, play the game. Then I'll get the plane straight back out and get you back to your bedside. '"
The proposal essentially involved ferrying Wood to the venue via private jet for the match and immediately flying him back to rest, highlighting the intense pressure and resources IPL franchises invest in key overseas players.
Wood admitted he seriously considered the offer and even consulted his father for advice, but ultimately decided against it to prioritise his health.
Mark Wood IPL Career
The Durham speedster has featured sparingly in the IPL. He made a solitary appearance for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2018 and turned out four times for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2023, where he picked up an impressive 11 wickets.
Was the IPL Owner Sanjiv Goenka?
In the 2023 season with LSG, Wood played the first four matches and got 11 wickets. His final match for LSG was on April 15 against PBKS, and after that, he didn't feature for the franchise. Was it the LSG owner, Sanjiv Goenka?
Well, we can't guess without any confirmation. Incidentally, LSG's next match in that season after April 15 was on April 19, when they played against the Rajasthan Royals. And only during his stint with LSG, Mark Wood played four games in a single season.
