Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
In a major development, Australia has suspended all direct passenger flights from India due to the unprecedented spike in Covid-19 cases. The decision was taken during a meeting of Australian Cabinet’s national security committee on Tuesday. As a result, the involvement of the Australians in the Indian Premier League 2021 is now under a cloud of doubt.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension of flights would remain in place until at least May 15 due to "clearly present" risks of travel from India. India recorded 352,991 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, placing increased strain on an already overwhelmed health system.
A total of 30 Australians are involved in the Indian Premier League 2021 , which includes players, coaches, and broadcasters. Three Australian cricketers namely Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have already pilled out of IPL 2021. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also backed out citing to support his family during this situation of crisis.
The IPL 2021 will end on May 30 and the Aussies will be hopeful that the ban on flights from India is lifted by then.
Australia cricketers want to stay till the end of IPL
Some Australian media reports had claimed that all Aussie players currently plying their trade in IPL want to come back via chartered flights and are in touch with the Australian government. However, Cricket Australia sources have put an end to all such speculation. CA sources revealed that Australian players want to stay till the end of the tournament.
“The players are intending to remain until the end of the tournament unless something changes dramatically. The media reports citing otherwise are incorrect,” the CA source was quoted as saying.