Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) on Tuesday (May 4) released a statement about the Australian players’ and other support staff’s safe repatriation from the COVID-19 hit India after the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) was postponed indefinitely.
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the IPL 2021 indefinitely following the Coronavirus outbreak inside the bio-bubbles on Tuesday while the rest of the country is trapped in the grip of a devastating second wave of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
With the Australian government already banning travelers from India till May 15, the Australian contingent of players, coaches, and broadcasters was unable to come home as CA has made it clear that they will not ask for exemptions for its IPL-bound contingent.
However, the Australian board and the players’ association thanked the BCCI for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of all participants at the IPL 14.
The CA and ACA said in a joint statement on Tuesday: “Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association understand the decision of the BCCI to indefinitely postpone the 2021 Indian Premier League for the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
CA is in direct contact with the BCCI as they work through plans to ensure the safe accommodation and repatriation of Australian players, coaches, match officials, and commentators back home to Australia.”
The statement concluded, “CA and the ACA respect the decision of the Australian Government to pause travel from India until at least May 15 and will not seek exemptions. CA and the ACA thank the BCCI for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of all participants at the IPL.”
Noteworthy, four IPL teams have recorded COVID-19 positive cases – Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings so far.
SRH wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha along with Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday while KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for the deadly virus in Ahmedabad on Monday (May 3).
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach L Balaji and another staffer believed to be a bus driver, three have also tested positive for the COVID-19 with all the franchise members put in isolation in Delhi.
Australia’s Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Ricky Ponting are in isolation with the rest of the DC squad while KKR’s Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting, and assistant coach David Hussey are also in isolation. SRH’s David Warner is also likely to also be forced into isolation after Saha tested COVID-19 positive.
(With AAP Inputs)
