CSK To Leave Next Weekend For UAE For IPL 2021; Franchise Positive About England Players’ Availability

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have reportedly planned to travel to the UAE next weekend to begin preparations for the second phase of the IPL 2021 which begins from September 10 onwards in the desert country. It has been also learned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given permission to the franchises to do so.

The 14th edition will resume with defending champions Mumbai Indians locking horns with Chennai Super Kings and CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the team is looking to arrive in Dubai on August 14 or 15.

“We are looking to leave for the UAE on August 14-15 as the BCCI has said teams can leave after August 10,” he told ANI.

Last month, the BCCI announced the schedule for the remainder of the IPL 2021 which will be held in the UAE. A total of 31 matches will be played in the duration of 27 days. In all, 13 matches will be held in Dubai, 10 in Sharjah, and 8 in Abu Dhabi.

The Postponement Of The England-Bangladesh Series Further Raises The Chances Of English Players Being Available: Franchise Official

However, in a positive development, the franchises’ hopes of seeing England players in the second half of the IPL 2021 just went up a few notches. ESPNCricinfo had reported that England’s tour of Bangladesh has been indefinitely postponed. The teams were set to play three ODIs and three T20Is in September-October with an eye on the T20 World Cup.

This reported cancelation has opened up doors for the England players to participate in the IPL 2021 after receiving the green signal from the ECB.

While players from South Africa and West Indies are expected to be available, it is players from England and Australia who are yet to get a go-ahead to participate in the remaining part of the cash-rich league from their boards.

“While we are yet to get any official communication from the BCCI on the availability of the English or Australian players, they have said that talks are moving in a positive direction. The postponement of the England-Bangladesh series further raises the chances of English players being available. We should be clear about this by the end of this week,” said an official of a franchise — which has its core foreign players coming from the English team.

The IPL 2021 had to be postponed in May after the COVID-19 outbreak in multiple franchises resulted in four players, two coaches, and other support staff getting infected with the virus.

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