Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI
Even though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally announced that the remainder of IPL 2021 will resume in the United Arab Emirates in the September-October window, the availability of overseas players remains a major hurdle. The cash-rich league was suspended midway on May 4 owing to the COVID-19 crisis and now with a packed international cricket schedule, the possibility of the availability looks rather bleak.
Many IPL teams have already received a shock as the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that their centrally contracted cricketer won't get to feature in the remainder of the tournament. Reports also emerged that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Pat Cummins had pulled out of the tournament and now the same has been confirmed by his teammate Dinesh Karthik.
If I am asked to lead, I don’t have a problem: DK
"Cummins has said he is not coming but there’s still three months and (Eoin) Morgan may still be available. But if I am asked to lead, I don’t have a problem," Karthik told TOI.
Meanwhile, Cummins reunited with his pregnant partner Becky Boston on May 31 following weeks of travel and quarantine protocols after IPL was suspended. Although a clear reason for him pulling out of the competition hasn't come from him, it is understood that the Aussie pacer would want to spend more time with his partner during her pregnancy.
As things stand now, the Kolkata franchise is at the penultimate position in the team standings with two wins in seven games.