IPL 2021 Suspended: With the IPL 2021 suspended, foreign players are returning home starting Tuesday. As per reports, two Delhi Capitals players — Sam Billings and Chris Woakes, who were supposed to be in isolation following Amit Mishra’s positive COVID-19 test report, are already on their way back to the UK, where they will have to serve a mandatory 10-day quarantine period at a government-approved facility.
However, Sam Billings and Chris Woakes aren’t the only England cricketers who will return home. The other 9 England cricketers in the tournament — Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Sam and Tom Curran, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan — will also return home after four days as they will need to return two negative COVID-19 test results to take the flight to the UK. Others are finalising their travel arrangements, as per the Daily Mail. The rest of the English players’ return will depend on their respective franchises as they are arranging the players’ return in association with the BCCI.
“Following this morning’s postponement of the Indian Premier League, we are in close contact with our players and staff in India as arrangements are put in place for them to return home safely,” the ECB said in a statement.
“The ECB understands the BCCI’s decision to postpone the competition for the safety and wellbeing of those involved, and thanks to the BCCI for its commitment to do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all those taking part in the competition. Our thoughts remain with the people of India during these challenging times,” it added.
IPL 2021 Suspended: DC’s Sam Billings, Chris Woakes leave IPL bubble, in transit to UK
IPL 2021 Suspended: One of the England players who is stranded in India is Punjab Kings’ Chris Jordan. The bowling all-rounder said he is still awaiting confirmation of his travel arrangements.
However, the situation for stranded Australian players in the tournament is dire. They are barred from returning home with the Australian government imposing a strict travel ban. Many Australians, therefore, are following commentator Michael Slater, travelling to the Maldives.