New Zealand players might miss IPL 2021 if it is restarted in September
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to suspend the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). A number of players from various teams were infected with the coronavirus, and the BCCI put a halt to the IPL.
And, one possible window that the BCCI has in mind to once again complete the remainder of IPL 2021 is during the month of September this year. But then, if the BCCI decides to stage the IPL in September this year, a number of New Zealand players might not be available.
The Black Caps will face the Pakistan cricket team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the month of September, and as a result, the Kiwi players might be absent once the tournament is restarted.
Several New Zealand players are part of the IPL
A lot of New Zealand players are a part of the IPL. While Kane Williamson is one of the biggest names from the land of the Kiwis to participate in the tournament, the likes of Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, and Tim Siefert are also a part of the IPL. And, all of them might be forced to give the IPL a miss.
And, Kane Williamson had even been appointed as the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise in the middle of the 14th edition of the IPL. Kyle Jamieson, on the other hand, was one of the most expensive buys during the 2021 IPL auctions.
The tall Kiwi pacer was bought for an astronomical sum of INR 15 Crores by the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise. At the time of suspension of the tournament, the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals are placed at the top place in the points table. The Delhi outfit has won 6 out of the 8 matches that they have played in the 2021 edition of the IPL.
The Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side was languishing at the last place in the points table at the time of suspension of the 14th edition of the IPL. The ‘Orange Army’ had accumulated just 2 points in the 7 matches that they played in the 2021 IPL season.