IPL 2021: Cricket Australia In Contact With The BCCI To Ensure Safe Repatriation Of Australian Contingent

Hours after the BCCI suspended the 14th season of the Indian Premier League [IPL] for an indefinite period of time due to multiple Covid cases amid bio-bubble breach, Cricket Australia has said that it is in direct contact with the former to ensure safe accommodation and repatriation of the Australian contingent.

The 14th season of the IPL was postponed on Tuesday after multiple cricketers from different franchises tested positive for the Wuhan virus.

The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council called an emergency meeting following the emergence of multiple cases and came to a conclusion that the 2021 edition cannot go ahead amid current circumstances.

”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,” a joint statement from Cricket Australia (CA) and ACA read.

“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,” it added.

The sudden postponement of the 14th season has left the Australian contingent in a jumbo as they can’t travel to the country directly from India due to the travel ban imposed by the Scott Morrison-led government.

Morrison, last week, imposed a travel ban from India till May 15th and when asked if the IPL-bound Australian cricketers will be exempted from the ban, Morrison responded in the negative.

Furthermore, the Australian government has announced that if any cricketer comes directly from India to Australia then they might face five years of prison.

Cricket Australia, in its statement, revealed that it will no be asking for exemptions from the government besides thanking the BCCI for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of the Australian contingent.

”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,” the statement further read.

”CA and the ACA thank the BCCI for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of all participants at the IPL,” it added.

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