- South African players may miss first three weeks of IPL due to Bangladesh tour
- BCCI to call the president of CSA to ask to release players a little early
- Anrich Nortje still waiting clearance from CSA’s medical team
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to contact the Cricket South Africa (CSA) over the limited availability of South African players in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) version 15, as told by sources close to the matter.
“The BCCI will be approaching Graeme Smith and check out if some of the top players are available at least a bit earlier. We are hopeful of a solution as we share a great rapport with CSA,”
The starting of this year’s edition of the league has clashed with the Bangladesh tour of South Africa. The Bangla team is set to play three ODI and two Test match series against the hosts starting from March 18. The tour ends on April 12, but since the Indian marquee event is starting on the 26th of this month it means the SA players will be missing the starting chunk of the league, approximately three weeks.
Quinton De Kock, representing Lucknow Super Giants, will be fully available since he retired from Test cricket early this year, the availability of others is in doubt. It is still in doubt whether Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi will choose to stay or will they avail themselves of the opportunity of leaving early as CSA has offered the players choice between IPL and national duty.
Earlier, the head of CSA, Graeme Smith, had given the choice to its players to choose IPL or national duty. On the other hand Test captain Dean Algar has also claimed that the decision of players will show loyalty to their country.
“The players need to give Cricket South Africa an indication of if they are keen to go to IPL or if they are keen to play for Test side. It’s a bit of a tough one putting that in the players’ box but this I guess, this is where you see where players’ loyalty lies,”
Another Proteas player, Anrich Nortje’s presence is also in doubt since the player has been out of cricket since November due to injuries. The South Africa star all-rounder and a crucial part of Delhi Capitals had been injured but his return to IPL is still in question since it remains to be seen if the medical board will release him given, the mega T20 World Cup also lies ahead. If he isn’t permitted, it would be a big blow to Delhi Capitals.
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