Australia’s decision to suspend direct flights from India for the next three weeks could make it difficult for that country’s cricketers, who play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, to return home if they decide to abandon their participation in the tournament .
Three Australian players – Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and AJ Tye – have already withdrawn from the IPL and have gone home with the worsening Covid-19 crisis in India.
Fourteen Australian players including Steve Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins; Coaches like Ricky Ponting (Delhi Capitals) and Simon Katich (Royal Challengers Bangalore); Australian commentators Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Michael Slater and Lisa Sthalekar remain involved in the IPL and officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated they do not expect immediate withdrawals.
IPL 2021: BCCI guarantees players complete safety in the bio-bubble
A person close to Cummins also announced that “Cummins will continue with the Knights (Kolkata Knight Riders) at this point”.
A Cricket Australia (CA) source also confirmed to Sportstar that “they haven’t heard” about players requesting a charter flight from India in the coming weeks.
In an interaction with News Corp, overseas Mumbai Indian recruit Chris Lynn announced that he had asked CA to arrange a charter flight.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday that Australian cricketers who play the IPL will have to use their own resources to return home. He added that players will not be a priority if government-organized return flights – which were suspended on Tuesday – finally resume. “You traveled there privately. This was not part of an Australian tour. They are below their resources and they will use those resources too, I’m sure to see them return to Australia on their own arrangements, “said Morrison.
India Covid-19 Outbreak: Full List of Players Withdrawing From IPL Via COVID
Hemang Amin, Chief Operating Officer of IPL, has assured them in a letter to the Australian players and support staff that the BCCI will help them return home safely after the tournament. “We understand that many of you are concerned about how you will return home after the tournament is over, which is natural and understandable. We want to let you know that you don’t have to worry. The BCCI will do everything possible to ensure that you achieve your respective goals seamlessly. The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with government agencies to make arrangements to bring you home after the tournament is over. Rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI until each of you has reached your home safely and safely, ”he wrote.
Sportstar looked at a copy of the letter.
The Government of India will open the process of Covid-19 vaccination for every citizen over the age of 18 on Saturday May 1st. It is understood that the BCCI has left the decision on vaccination to the players. Board sources made it clear that only Indian players are eligible for vaccination.
