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Mark Wood has revealed a surprising tale from his time in the IPL-giving a unique peek behind the curtains of the competition. In an interview on BBC's Strategic Timeout, the England pace bowler revealed how he was once insisted by a franchise owner to participate in a match, despite being extremely unwell.

Wood says the incident took place during a season when he suffered a high fever and was unable to get out of bed. In the days that followed, he received constant updates and check-ups from the team doctors.

“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.”

However, Wood's condition showed no signs of improving and the franchise owner still kept calling him. The owner wanted to know when he would be able to play the next match.

“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.”

This was followed by an offer from the owner which left Wood amused. The owner said he would send a private plane to collect Wood for the match and then drop him back to his bedside after it was completed.

“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.'”

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The 36-year-old revealed that he considered the approach which demonstrates just how significant the pressure may be when the IPL is upon us. It even came to the point where he even discussed the approach with his father before settling on his decision.

He instead decided against it as he focused his time on his recovery. The England speedster's career has not been blessed by good luck, with injuries a recurrent feature throughout his career hindering his participation in T20 leagues.

The pacer only had short stints at IPL campaigns, appearing once in the 2018 season for the Chennai Super Kings and in 2023 representing the Lucknow Super Giants. He was forced out of that season with an elbow injury.

His 2023 campaign saw him perform well, claiming 11 wickets in just 4 matches before ending his campaign prematurely. The franchise or owner were not mentioned by Wood when recounting the event which has been dubbed as one of the more peculiar IPL approaches.

The circumstances also bring into perspective the unique pressure and expectations faced by bowlers during the IPL.