The Indian Premier League (IPL) was scheduled to begin on 29 March 2020, but it saw getting postponed to 15 April 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. However, the way things are moving in India, especially around the Pandemic outbreak, there is no confirmation if and when the 13th season of the IPL will commence. Many unofficial reports have suggested that IPL may be moved to July-September window.
In addition to all these, Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, has announced ‘Do not travel overseas’ advisory to its citizens. It means that there may be a possibility that no players from Down Under take part in this year’s Cricket extravaganza.
The advisory consists of the 4-level warning that recommends one against travelling outside the country, but you can’t call it a travel ban as such.
‘If you want to travel, you can get professional security advice. Your travel insurance policy may not be valid, and the Government of Australia may not be able to help you.’ It is what the sources of the Australian Government was stated as saying.
In case if this travel advisory placed by the Australian is put into practice the next month, then Australian players would need to arrange their own travel insurance. What’s more, they would also need to take care of the arrangements of the emergency plan if any.
CA may not give NOC to Australian players for IPL
said to be supporting the move of the Government after having taken efforts to pacify concerns that it would revoke NOC for the Tournament.
The Captain of the limited-over Team, Aaron Finch, also expressed his concern on the situation the surrounds all of us. He had been signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.
The pace spearhead of the Australian Team, Pat Cummins, who was signed for a whopping Rs.15.5 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is this season’s highest-paid.
Other than him, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Steve Smith have also raked in moolah during the IPL Auction in Kolkata on 19 December 2019.
Cricket Australia (CA) is also reportedly being said to have forced its players to let go of their lucrative IPL contracts to stay safe during the times of COVID-19 outbreak.
But that has not stopped the Australian Cricket Board form assessing situations if players should be taking part in the Tournament or not.
The recent developments came into the picture after the confirmation of Sheffield Shield 2019-20 seasons being scrapped.
Going by what the rule says the players who have been contracted have all rights to decide on their participation in the IPL or not. It is what Kevin Roberts; the Chief Executive of CA was reported to be saying on the matter. Players are contracted individually to their IPL Teams, and they have the authority to decide to go for playing in the IPL 2020 or not.
But the fact of the matter is that they don’t have a chance to play in the IPL if their parent body (CA) does give them the No Objection Certificate. CA is still in the process of reviewing if they should grant players permission to play in the IPL or not.
According to media reports, CA gives NOC to players on a routine basis to feature in the IPL, but this around, it has been kept under review.
“We can offer them (players) advice, and it depends on them if they should play in the IPL or not. But being their parent body, it is also our job to make them lean on our viewpoint. I hope that they will take the correct decision when the time is due.” Roberts was stated as saying on the entire scenario.
If CA does not give NOC to players, then it will be a huge blow to them as they will need to deal with the financial blows.
Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Pat Cummins and may have a huge windfall in the Indian Premier League. But going by the prevailing conditions, they may even miss out on it.
