New Zealand players confirm their availability for IPL 2021
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was postponed on May 4 after there was a breach in the bio-bubble and a number of players and support staff tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now decided to host the tournament in September and October in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The rescheduling of the IPL 2021 has caused a lot of buzz among the fans and the Indian cricket fraternity. However, some franchises received massive blows when it was learned that many overseas players won’t be able to make it to the UAE leg of the league.
The remainder of IPL 2021 is likely to clash with the international schedules of almost all cricket countries. The cricket boards didn’t seem much interested in meddling with their international schedule to again accommodate the IPL. However, it has been learned that the Black Caps’ players have confirmed their availability for the remaining matches of the tournament.
A source close to an IPL franchise revealed that NZ players will be participating in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The source also confirmed that the Indian board is in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) to ensure the availability of Australian and England players too.
Seven New Zealand players have a contract with IPL franchises
Notably, as many as seven Kiwi players have a contract with different IPL franchises. The seven IPL bound players include the likes of Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert, and Finn Allen.
A report in Cricket.com has quoted an IPL franchise official, who confirmed the availability of Black Caps’ players. He said, “We are much relieved now. BCCI is in talks with English and Australian boards to come to a consensus regarding this. Given April and May are earmarked for the IPL, they are right to raise their own objections but we are now confirmed to witness New Zealand players in action.”
Meanwhile, West Indies players will also be present on IPL 2021 as Cricket West Indies (CWI) preponed CPL 2021 to ensure that it doesn’t clash with the Indian league.
