IPL 2021 Suspended: BCCI Will Find A Way To Send Foreign Players Back- Brijesh Patel

IPL chairman Brijesh Patel has said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will ‘find a way’ to send all the overseas recruits safely back home following the suspension of the 14th season.

The IPL was suspended indefinitely by the BCCI on Tuesday after multiple Covid cases and bio-breaches grappled the cash-rich league in the past two days.

With the IPL getting suspended and travel from India to several countries also under temporary restrictions, there is a concern among the foreign contingent on their safe return to their respective countries.

The IPL has 14 Australians, 10 New Zealand cricketers, 11 Englishmen, 11 South Africans, 9 West Indians, 3 Afghans and 2 Bangladeshi cricketers across eight franchises.

“We need to send them home and we will find a way to do that,” Brijesh Patel told PTI

New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia, however, have thrown their weight behind the BCCI’s ability to handle the situation.

“The players are in a relatively safe environment and those within affected teams are in isolation,” read an NZC statement as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“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 potential options.”

Cricket Australia, meanwhile, released a statement on Tuesday, where it said that the board is working closely with the BCCI to ensure safe repatriation of the Australian contingent.

“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.

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