IPL 2021: "If CSK makes it into IPL playoffs, I'll have to rethink about New Zealand Tests," says Sam Curran

Curran joined the England squad in India for the white-ball series.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council announced the schedule for IPL 2021, England all-rounder Sam Curran has opened up about his availability for the lucrative T20 tournament.

The 14^th edition of the IPL 2021 will begin in Chennai from April 9 with the playoffs and the final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 30.

The tournament will be held in India across six venues – Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru as all IPL 14 matches will be played at neutral venues this year.

Curran, who has now become a key player of Chennai Super Kings, thanks to his all-round contributions during their difficult campaign last year in the UAE, hinted that he might skip England’s two-match Test series against New Zealand from June 2 to June 14 if CSK qualifies for the IPL 2021 playoffs.

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However, the all-rounder feels there is still a long way to go before the New Zealand series, but made it clear that he will likely be available for the Test series only if CSK fails to qualify for the playoffs.

Curran said in a virtual press conference: “Yesterday only the IPL dates came out. Any time there are England games in the summer you do want to play in them. You'll have to see how the IPL tournament pans out. I guess if you miss the qualification then most likely you'll be available for those Tests.”

He added, “If you're in the final it might be a bit different. No one really knows how it will gonna pan out. Those New Zealand Tests have come into the calendar recently and there's a lot of Test cricket.”

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Curran concluded, “It's great as a player to be playing in that tournament, especially with the T20 World Cup in India, it's going to be great preparation, great for us to keep developing in these conditions.”

Meanwhile, England head coach Chris Silverwood said that England players will be available for the whole of the IPL 2021 as they haven’t yet looked at selection for the Test series against New Zealand.

Silverwood said during a virtual press conference: “We have not looked at selection for the Test matches yet. For me, playing for your country is a big thing. It is always difficult to change anything. So, they will be staying for the whole IPL as it stands at the moment.”

(With ANI/ESPNCricinfo Inputs)