IPL 2021: Smith And Warner Could Leave as Australia Mulls Suspension of Flights From India

The exodus of Australian players from IPL 2021 amidst record-breaking coronavirus cases in India is set to continue with a report now claiming that Steve Smith and David Warner are hoping to fly back home before potential closing of borders. On Monday, Royal Challengers Bangalore announced that their two Aussie recruits Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have decided to withdraw midway through the season due to personal reasons.

Their withdrawal came after Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Andrew Tye too left IPL for fear of being locked out. Australian media is now reporting that their government is debating over issuing all flights from India which is dealing with record coronavirus cases on a daily basis.

“Australian cricketers including David Warner and Steve Smith are now hoping to be flown home to India before borders shut,” news agency IANS quoted 9News as saying on Tuesday.

Warner captains Sunrisers Hyderabad while Smith is representing Delhi Capitals this season. The report further claimed that around 30 Australian players, coaches and commentators are ‘keen to get out of India’ due to the ‘deteriorating situation right across the country.’

Australia Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said that they have an obligation to ensure the safety of its 8,000 citizens stuck in India.  “Our primary responsibility is to keep Australians safe and secure, so that is our overarching responsibility,” Andrews was quoted as saying by ABC.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has asked for the suspension of flights from India. “I do believe now is the time to suspend those flights,” Palaszczuk was quoted as saying by 9news.

It’s been five straight days that India has reported over 3 lakh cases a day.

However, Mumbai Indians pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile says he plans to stick with his franchise. “Everyone’s got their own opinions on it and different situations for them,” Coulter-Nile told cricket.com.au .

“I was surprised to see AJ (Andre Tye) go home, and then Zamps and Richo (Kane Richardson), but when you speak to them, you definitely understand where they’re coming from,” he added.

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• coronavirus
• David Warner
• Delhi Capitals
• IPL 2021
• steve smith
• sunrisers hyderabad