IPL called off; Kiwis in limbo
Current and former Black Caps are in limbo in India and potentially awaiting safe passage home, or to England, after the Indian Premier League was suspended yesterday in a Covidravaged nation.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed the tournament was postponed, but there were no further details on a time frame, after two Kolkata Knight Riders players tested positive on Monday.
It leaves 10 Black Caps including captain Kane Williamson, and as many as seven New Zealand support staff including former skippers Stephen Fleming and Brendon
McCullum in limbo, awaiting further instruction.
New Zealand Cricket public affairs manager Richard Boock said in a statement to Stuff: ‘‘NZC remains in contact with the New Zealand contingent in the IPL. The players are in a relatively safe environment and those within affected teams are in isolation.
‘‘We’ll continue to liaise with the BCCI, the ECB and New Zealand government authorities in terms of managing their situation – but at this juncture it’s too early to discuss in any detail.’’
Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner were scheduled to join their test team-mates in England later this month to prepare for the World Test Championship final against India on June 18. The test squad are scheduled to fly to England on May 15.
In a media statement, the IPL said the decision was ‘‘unanimously’’ taken by the tournament’s governing council along with the top brass of the BCCI.
‘‘The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.
‘‘These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.
‘‘The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.’’
Australian cricketers Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye and Kane Richardson last week fled the IPL, returning home via Qatar.
The IPL was due to finish on May 30.