The remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held in the UAE from September 19 when Mumbai Indians take on Chennai Super Kings. Now, Cricket Australia has confirmed that it is not going to stop the players from taking part in the tournament but hasn’t ruled out the chances of a few players pulling out.
“Cricket Australia will not stop any players but the chances of few players pulling out can’t be ruled out. New Zealand and England players are returning which is a massive shot in the arm,” the official told Cricket.com.
The IPL was earlier suspended with immediate effect on May 4 after positive cases of Covid-19 within the franchises. The cash-rich league will now be resumed in the UAE and this would be the second year on the trot when the IPL will be hosted in the nation. The 2020 edition also took place in the UAE.
Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Steve Smith are the Australian players who play for the respective IPL franchises. Fast bowler Pat Cumins who plays for KKR had earlier opted out of the tournament.
Delhi Capitals’ new recruit Smith might also not feature in the remainder of the IPL as he is recovering from an elbow injury. The right-handed batsman had earlier stated that he was ready to skip the World T20 slated to take place later this year to be fit for the Ashes.
“There’s still a bit of time between now and [the T20 World Cup], and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay. I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in,” Smith had told cricket.com.au.