Mike Hesson Returns To New Zealand After Being Stranded In India For A Month Due To COVID-19 Lockdown

Former New Zealand Head coach and the director of operations of the Royal Challengers Bangalore Mike Hesson has finally returned to his homeland after being stranded in India for over a month. The proliferation of coronavirus (COVID-19) has put the entire world under a lockdown. Mike Hesson, who was supposed to be with the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 13th editon of the Indian Premier League and had travelled to India on the 5th of March.

But with the onslaught of COVID-19, India and New Zealand governments soon sealed their borders and announced a nationwide lockdown. Mike Hesson took to his Instagram account to share the news where he thanked the satff of Fly Air New Zealand for their outstanding service upon his return to his homeland.

“What a wonderful sight after spending over a day on a bus to get to Mumbai airport. The staff on @FlyAirNZ were simply outstanding on our return to New Zealand,” Hesson tweeted.

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Mike Hesson thanks Indian and New Zealand Prime Ministers for their swift action

He also went on to thank Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Zealand embassy in India, his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arderm for their swift action.

“Special thanks to Down pointing backhand index @NZinIndia @MFATNZ @narendramodi @jacindaardern #repatriationflight #india #NZ” he added.

Meanwhile, the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League has been postponed for an indefinite period of time. The cash-rich league was originally scheduled to take place from the 29th of March with defending champions Mumbai Indians squaring off against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

But the rapidly escalating situation with regards to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown by the Indian government forced the authorities to postpone the start of the tournament till April 15.

But with India going into its second phase of lockdown, the BCCI postponed the tournament indefinitely and with President Sourav Ganguly recently declaring that there will be no cricket taking place in India in the immediate future, the speculations on whether the IPL will take place or not this year have been rife, with rumors  mills abuzz that the BCCI are looking at a September-October window for the same. However, the apex board has categorically denied the claims.

Also Read: On This Day in 2008: The Start Of The Revolution Called IPL

Here’s what Mike Hesson posted on Instagram-

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A post shared by Mike H (@hesson_mike)