IPL 2022: South African players’ IPL availability – In a week’s time, all franchises will begin their pre-IPL camp in full swing but six out of 10 IPL teams are still waiting for an update on South African players. The Proteas players face a big loyalty test as CSA is set to announce the squad for the Bangladesh series. The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje could miss out on the opening few matches if they choose to play in the Bangladesh series. Follow IPL 2022 and SA vs BAN Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
“We practically have no information on when they will be available. We are in touch with the players but they are also in dilemma. We hope to hear from our player by this week. But I honestly can’t tell you whether he will be available from the beginning because we also don’t know,” said an official of a franchise with a top South African fast bowler.
IPL 2022: Franchises getting jittery on South African cricketers’ IPL availability, ANXIOUSLY wait for updates ahead of IPL camp
South Africa’s Bangladesh series starts on March 18 and will culminate on April 12 with a two-match Test series. With Test captain Dean Elgar already sounding the alarm, asking player to prove their loyalty, things are complicated for Proteas stars. Franchises are waiting anxiously for an update before making a last-minute change in plans.
This time though, Test captain Dean Elgar has warned the players that the decision the players take will prove where the loyalty lies.
“The players need to give Cricket South Africa an indication of their keenness to go to the IPL or if they want to play for the Test side. It’s a tough one putting that in the player’s box, but I guess this is where you see where the loyalty of the players lies. They mustn’t forget that it is Test and ODI cricket that catapulted them into the IPL spotlight, not the other way round,” Dean Elgar was quoted by the local media.
IPL 2022: Franchises getting jittery on South African cricketers’ IPL availability, ANXIOUSLY wait for updates ahead of IPL camp
IPL 2022: Why South African players are in dilemma?
- Test captain Dean Elgar asked the players to prove their loyalty.
- If they decide to play in the Bangladesh series, they will miss out matches till April 16.
- If they decide to skip Test series, South Africa will have to field a second-string bowling side as all the fast bowlers are part of IPL.
- After win against India and draw against New Zealand away, South Africa want to continue the ascend in World Test Championships and snubbing the series will be detrimental to players.
IPL 2022: Franchises getting jittery on South African cricketers’ IPL availability, ANXIOUSLY wait for updates ahead of IPL camp
These fiery stats are only bound to get better in the #TATAIPL2022 🔥
Raise your 🙋♂️ if you can’t wait to see @KagisoRabada25 don the PBKS red. #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/dDDHfVsM43
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 7, 2022
IPL 2022: Franchises getting jittery on South African cricketers’ IPL availability, ANXIOUSLY wait for updates ahead of IPL camp
As IPL 2022 will begin on March 26, the players, if they decide to stay back, will miss at least the first five matches as they will also need to serve three-day quarantine. The most affected franchise will be Delhi Capitals who have Anrich Nortje and Lungi Nigidi in their ranks. SRH too will miss out on Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram who could be called up for Test series.
But the Cricket South Africa has left it to the players to inform the selection committee about their preference.
“I can speak on behalf of my player. He has assured us he will be coming on time & has asked us for this week for clarity,” said one of the franchise officials on condition of anonymity.
While if South African players want to prefer IPL over Bangladesh series, it won’t be the first time. During IPL 2021, players like Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada decided to skip the T20 series and two ODI matches against Pakistan and left midway through the series for IPL.
IPL 2022: Franchises getting jittery on South African cricketers’ IPL availability, ANXIOUSLY wait for updates ahead of IPL camp
South African Players in IPL 2022: Kagiso Rabada (PBKS), Anrich Nortje (DC), Marco Jansen (SRH), David Miller (GT), Aiden Markram (SRH), Rassie van der Dussen (RR), Lungi Ngidi (DC), Dwaine Pretorius (CSK)
Not part of Selection: Faf du Plessis (RCB), Dewald Brevis (MI), Quinton de Kock – LSG (TEST).
