The Australian pace of Delhi Capital (DC), Mitchell Starc, will probably not return to India even if the Indian Premier League season (IPL) is currently suspended. In fact, most of the best Australian cricket players are likely to skip the IPL, which was suspended for a week on Friday in the middle of degenerate regional tensions between India and Pakistan. Sources close to the BCCI told NDTV on Sunday that IPL could restart on May 16, the final is likely to be moved from May 25 to May 30.
The best Australian cricket players landed in their respective cities following the IPL suspension. Starc, as well as his wife Alyssa Healy, approached in Sydney, where he refused to speak to the local media in the matter.
However, Starc manager later told Australian news that he may not return to India if the tournament resumes.
According to age, Cricket Australia (CA) will support his players if they decide not to come back for the resumption of IPL.
Starc is not the only Australian cricket player whose IPL participation is in question. Pat Cummins and Travis Head, whose Sunrisers Hyderabad team is already out of connection in playoffs, can choose to stay in Australia to prepare for the WTC final in Lord’s on June 11.
Adding to uncertainty is the logistical challenge to bring players abroad and support staff who left India within 24 hours of suspension.
Most of the New Zealand quota has already returned home, while African cricket has still decided to decide whether its players can extend their stay beyond the deadline of May 25. The CSA card should deliberate this on Sunday, the safety of the players being essential.
For teams like RCB, this disturbance has brought both complications and a silver lining. Captain Rajat Patidar, who suffered an injury to the finger during the establishment of CSK, was about to miss two games. The unexpected break has now given him a precious window for recovery. RCB manages its conservative rehabilitation, looking at its availability for the playoffs and potentially the next India a tour in England.
(With the IANS inputs)
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