The Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL 2020) is all set to start in UAE on 19th September. The international cricket boards have started giving no objection certificates (NOC’s) to its cricketers for participating in the Indian league. The New Zealand Cricket and Cricket South Africa both have announced NOC’s for its cricketers. But despite of that 10 cricketers from South Africa including AB de Villiers (RCB), Quinton De Kock (MI) stands doubtful for IPL 2020.
Reason – due to Covid19, currently South Africa is under strict lockdown and no international take-offs are allowed since the last few months. As the Coronavirus cases are constantly growing in the African nation, no one knows when the flight operations can start. Already the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), starting August 18, is faced with a few tricky issues on this account. With South African borders closed, there is no way the Proteas cricketers – Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Rilee Rossouw, Anrich Nortje and Colin Ingram, can reach Caribbean.
Under the circumstances, participation of the South African cricketers will only be dependent on the resumption of the flights or on some special arrangements by the BCCI or the IPL franchises.
“Cricket South Africa will definitely provide players with the NOCs for the Indian Premier League, but logistics are not something in our hands”, said CSA’s media manager Koketso Gaofetoge
IPL 2020 : Will these 10 South African cricketers play in IPL 2020 ?
Like India, South Africa is one of the worst affected country from Covid-19. Till date more than 4.21 lac cases have been reported from the African country and with more than 6300 casualties. This led to South African government once again imposing the lockdown and now the foreign travel is only allowed for some emergencies –
Circumstances in which South Africa citizens are currently allowed to travel ?
- Those receiving emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition.
- Any evacuation of a South African national or permanent resident to the Republic.
- Repatriation flights, either entering or leaving South Africa.
- The transportation of fuel, cargo, and goods or any humanitarian missions that are scheduled to take place
This situation can change rapidly but for now their will be question mark over the participation of South African cricketers in IPL 2020.
IPL 2020 : South African cricketers in IPL 2020 ?
In case South African cricketers can’t make it to UAE, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand to lose the most. Both the teams have 3 cricketers each from South African in their squads.
10 South African countries including AB De Villiers (RCB), Chris Morris (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals), Quinton De Kock (Mumbai Indians), Dale Steyn (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Faf Du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings), Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings), Hardus Viljoen (KingsXI Punjab), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings)
The players also stand to lose a lot if they can’t make it to IPL 2020. The Proteas cricketers collectively will lose out on 34.6 Cr total payouts from the IPL franchises this season if they can’t catch a flight for UAE. https://moneyball.
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