South African Players Participation In IPL 2020 In Jeopardy After Government Announces Nationwide Lockdown

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League [IPL] is all set to take place in the UAE from September 19-November 08.

As part of precautions, players will travel to the UAE 25 days prior to the start of the tournament and will be put in quarantine. Foreign players have also started to get ‘No Objection Certificates’ from their respective boards.

New Zealand and South African players have already got their respective NOC’s but if the reports are to be believed, getting NOC from CSA might still not be enough for South African cricketers to feature in this years’ IPL.

Just like India and many other countries, South Africa is currently grappling with the surge in Covid-19 cases. With as many as 4,20,000 cases and reportedly 6000 deaths, the South African government has decided to reimpose the nationwide lockdown.

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No South African players in IPL 2020?

The lockdown also constitutes air-travel restrictions, which means, even with NOC from CSA, the 2020 edition of IPL might be played without the South African contingent.

The lockdown also includes restrictions on air travel, jeopardizing the players’ chances of making to the cash-rich league despite having got the NOC.

South African players-led by AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Quinton de Kock is a crucial part of the IPL and their absence could leave a huge hole in their respective teams’.

Other Proteas cricketers who are a part of the IPL include Chris Morris (RCB), Dale Steyn (RCB) David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), Hardus Viljoen (Kings XI Punjab), Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals) and Lungi Ngidi (CSK).

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