IPL 2021: Cricket Australia confirms no charter flights booked for Aussie stars

Some of Australia’s leading cricketers are committed to seeing out the IPL in COVID-ravaged India but are still not sure how they will get home.

AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell batting together for RCB in the IPL

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley said suggestions of getting a charter flight home to bring Australian players home from India were premature but has promised they will not be abandoned.

A group of about 30 Australian players and officials including superstars Pat Cummins, David Warner and Steve Smith are uncertain of how they will return home from the Indian Premier League with the federal government threatening five years jail for any Australian who tries to return from India before May 15.

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A flight ban to and from India has been set until that date and may even extend beyond it which is of increasing concern to the Australians as the tournament is scheduled to finish on May 30.

India have been rocked by a second wave of COVID-19 with more than 400,000 new cases being recorded in India on Sunday.

Interim chief executive Hockley, while confirming Australia’s deep concern for its players, said talk of a charter flight was premature.

“There is no suggestion at the moment of any charter flight,’’ Hockley told SEN’s Whateley on Monday.

David Warner and Kane Williamson show just how serious the COVID outbreak is

“It is a case of monitoring the situation. I think it is premature in that respect. We need to … see where we are at in two or three weeks’ time.

“We are all very concerned and we are thinking about not only our players but the broader situation in India. Obviously our hearts go out to everyone.’’

Because the players have gone to India under private deals, CA is not obliged to get them home but still feels a strong commitment to help out. There is a chance that players may fly to another destination to quarantine after leaving India before returning to Australia.

“Effectively each player is there on their own time. That said we are working closely with the ACA, the players and the BCCI to make sure everyone is OK.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

“I think we are speaking regularly to all those organisations about what the situation is. The players are generally in good spirits … they are feeling safe and secure.’’

Hockley defended the decision to continue with the glitzy IPL when India was in the mid of a COVID crisis.

“We have seen it all around the world and we have certainly seen it in Australia that when people are under lockdown that getting the sport back on really did boost morale. I understand people have various opinions whether it is appropriate to continue or not but I am led the believe the continuation of the IPL is not taking any resources around the relief effort.’’

“My personal opinion is that having sport on is a boost for morale.’’

Legend’s IPL defence: ‘It is the best thing happening’

- Robert Craddock

Indian coach Ravi Shastri expects his nation to rise from its COVID catastrophe to host this year’s T20 World Cup and has defended the Indian Premier League for ploughing through the pandemic.

The IPL has been criticised for continuing with its glitzy tournament while India has been floored by a second COVID wave but Shastri believes the continuation of the tournament is still the best course of action.

“The IPL is not taking oxygen cylinders from hospitals,” Shastri told SEN’s Whateley.

“Nor are they asking for any drugs or hospital beds. You must remember everyone in the IPL is in a bubble and are not playing in front of crowds.

“I say to people ‘tell me what type of damage it is doing compared to the smile it is putting on people’s faces?’

“From a cricket perspective a lot of people might be questioning why the IPL is still going on but to be honest it is the best thing that is happening.’’

India had their worst single day spike in COVID cases on Sunday with more than 400,000 positive tests, taking the amount of infections to more than 19.5 million.

There are many who believe India are little chance of hosting the T20 World Cup in October but Shastri remains optimistic.

“I am very positive (about the World Cup). Just what the experts are saying about it (COVID-19) peaking around May 15 in India.

“By the time it (the World Cup) comes around I think you will find 75%-80% of Indians will be vaccinated and a lot of people will have recovered from the disease. We have learnt a lot.

“There are positive signs and I believe we will bounce back.

“It can spread pretty rapidly but it can dip pretty quickly as well. Mumbai was close to 11,000 (cases a day) last week. I read the papers today and it has gone to 3000.

Kane Richardson left the IPL.

“It is about people becoming aware. The more people become vaccinated the more aware they are about what they have to do.

“It might take a little longer than in other parts of the world just because of the size of the population.’’

Having experienced bubble life while on tour in Australia last summer where his team pulled off a stunning Test series win, Shastri admits there is a limit to how much players can endure.

“They will not be able to do it for too long, Let me be honest, the water will get above eye level very soon.’’

Shastri said planning would a key factor for the International Cricket Council with a necessity to limit bubble life by splitting the formats and having short tours.