IPL 2021 Auction – Franchises concerned over South African players availability at the start of IPL 2021: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises gear up for IPL Auctions on Feb 18th, one development is making them very concerned. Cricket South Africa on Friday announced schedule for Pakistan white-ball tour of South Africa which will end on April 16th. This means top South African players will not be available for the first two weeks of IPL 2021 which is likely to start on April 11th. Some of the franchises have now asked BCCI for clarity on the availability of South African players.
‘If South Africa-Pakistan series is ending on 16th April – that means they will not be available for first 2 weeks of IPL as we also have to keep quarantine norms in mind. We have asked BCCI to give clarity on this account. It will not make any sense than to bid for the South African cricketers, we will plan our auction strategy accordingly”, said one of the top franchise official.
Overall 14 South African cricketers will be in fray at the IPL Auction. Beside the Proteas cricketers in auction list, 7 have already been retained by different IPL franchises for the forthcoming season.
IPL Mini-Auction: 14 South African cricketers in fray
Chris Morris, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks, Hardus Viljoen, Andy Phehlukwayo, Daryn Dupavillon, Morne Morkel, Linde George, D.Pretorious, David Wiese, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, Jacques Snyman
Retained South African Cricketers for IPL 2021
Faf Du Plessis (CSK), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), Kagiso Rabada (DC), Anrich Nortje (DC), Quinton De Kock (MI), David Miller (RR), AB De Villiers (RCB)
Franchises now have asked the BCCI for exact status of availability of the top South African cricketers. According to the information available with InsideSport, the Indian board is likely to speak to Cricket South Africa over the issue. Post the call, BCCI will inform the franchises about the availability details of the South African cricketers.
CSK will feel the pinch if South African cricketers miss out on first two weeks of IPL 2021
Chennai Super Kings is the only IPL team currently with two South African cricketers in their squad. Opening batsman Faf Du Plessis and paceman Lungi Ngidi are currently in CSK squad and may miss out on first few days of IPL 2021.
Other than the South African cricketers, there are also concerns about the availability of England and New Zealand cricketers for the full duration of IPL 2021. Reason, New Zealand is scheduled to tour England for two match test series that starts from 2nd June. IPL 2021 is likely to conclude in the first week of June and is all likelihood top England and New Zealand cricketers will leave for London minimum 8-10 days in advance to join their teams before the 1st test match.
IPL franchises are concerned that this will cost teams really dearly at the business end of IPL 2021. Franchises are now looking for written assurances from BCCI that top players from South African, New Zealand and England will be available for the full duration of IPL 2021.