Shaken Australian players will be defended by Cricket Australia should they refuse to return to the Indian Premier League on safety grounds, after the tournament’s postponement due to escalating conflict between Pakistan and India.
Fear and anxiety remained prevalent emotions among Australian players spoken to by this masthead as all made their way home from the IPL, leaving the likes of Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin among coaching staff still in India.
Other coaches, including Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, have also returned home, but are expecting to be called back to complete the tournament, pending government advice to the Indian board following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Indian media reported on Sunday night that IPL clubs had been told to reconvene at their home bases by Tuesday, with the exception of Punjab, which will be housed at a neutral venue.
The BCCI and the IPL governing council were due to meet later on Sunday night to discuss plans for resuming the tournament, something that could see the final 16 games of the competition commencing as soon as next weekend.
The state of uncertainty among the players relates not only to concerns about safety but also the prospect of being pressured to return to the tournament this week and then frozen out of future editions of the IPL should they choose not to.
Australian Ricky Ponting (left) coaching Punjab Kings this IPL season.Credit: AP
In that light, this masthead has been told that CA will defend the rights of players to make their own calls about returning to the IPL on a case by case basis, taking the view that their decisions should not be held against them for the future.
Thursday night’s abandonment of an IPL game between Delhi and Punjab in Dharamsala due to air raid warnings in nearby centres has left players with plenty of questions, given that there was reticence to play the game in the northern venue in the first place.
“The BCCI suspended the IPL yesterday for a period of seven days, and, today, we are on the second day with five more days left,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz overnight.
“The BCCI is closely monitoring the evolving situation and developments, and will take a call on IPL resumption after consulting all stakeholders of IPL and the concerned government authorities.
“In the next 48 hours, we will begin consultations with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors and the state associations slated to host the remaining matches before crystallising a decision on the league’s resumption.
“Given the importance of IPL at this juncture, it will also be prudent and necessary to take the nod of the government of India before finalising the time for its restart. BCCI will duly announce the date of IPL restart once the whole process is over in due course of time.”
Many of Australia’s top players landed back on home soil on Sunday, including Mitchell Starc, who did not speak to reporters at Sydney Airport.
“Everyone is fine,” Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis told Nine News after landing.
A police officer outside India’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at the weekend.Credit: Getty Images
While reported plans for a resumption feature the movement of remaining games to southern Indian cities like Chennai and Bengaluru, security concerns remain prevalent among some players.
Others may be more willing to return, but there is also the issue of a tight cricket calendar.
Test players such as Travis Head, Starc, captain Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood are meant to spend a few days at home before flying to the UK ahead of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s against South Africa. That match will be immediately followed by a three-Test tour of the West Indies.
It has been suggested that the IPL’s resumption plans will not push the tournament any later than its current May 24 finish date. If it did so, all players would require fresh “no objection” certificates from CA in order to return.
Australian players involved in the Pakistan Super League – including those who took a charter flight to Dubai from an airbase that was attacked a few hours later – were also in transit home on Sunday.
There is a sense of sadness among players and officials about the episode, which has not only disrupted the closing stages of both the IPL and the Pakistan Super League but also shattered previously held perceptions of safety and certainty.
Pakistan cricket authorities, in particular, have worked over many years to get overseas cricketers back to their country, a trend that started with Test tours by South Africa and Australia in 2021 and 2022.
But the IPL has also suffered a blow to its prestige and trust among overseas players, who have been left to feel they were once again caught in the middle of a conflict situation.
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