IPL Resumption: BCCI Urges Foreign Players to Return Amid Safety Concerns

Pressure Mounts for IPL Players' Return

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL franchises are intensifying efforts to ensure that international players are ready to return for the league's restart on May 17, despite ongoing safety worries following military tensions between India and Pakistan.

BCCI officials have tasked IPL COO Hemang Amin with reaching out to cricket boards such as Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to address any concerns players might have about coming back to India.

All ten IPL teams are actively communicating with their overseas players regarding their travel plans to India, just a day after the IPL revealed its updated schedule, which was approved following necessary security assessments from the government.

The IPL, recognized as the largest T20 league globally, was halted on May 9 due to military confrontations between India and Pakistan. A ceasefire was declared the following day, allowing for the league's potential resumption.

A BCCI representative stated, 'We have been in discussions with foreign boards while teams are directly communicating with their players. We anticipate that most will return.'

Cricket Australia has left the decision of participation up to the players, with the players' association also playing a role in these matters.

Team officials noted that while some foreign players are apprehensive about returning, the majority are expected to arrive before the tournament resumes.

'The revised schedule was announced last night. We have just begun reaching out to our foreign players regarding their availability. We should have a clearer understanding by tomorrow morning. Our game is set for May 20, so we have ample time,' said CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.

CSK's roster includes foreign players such as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, and Matheesha Pathirana.

Jos Buttler, who has been a key player for Gujarat Titans this season, now faces a choice between the IPL and his commitments to England, as he has been selected for the ODI squad against West Indies starting May 29.

Initially, England players were granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the entire IPL, but with the tournament now extending until June 3 instead of the originally planned May 25 final, these arrangements will need to be reassessed. According to the updated IPL schedule, the league stage will conclude on May 27.

The England ODI squad also includes Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks, who play for RCB and Mumbai Indians, respectively. Both teams are competing for playoff spots.

'We are eager to support the IPL and the BCCI in getting the schedule back on track and to facilitate players' return if they choose to come back,' stated an ECB spokesperson.

At Punjab Kings, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and teammate Josh Inglis may not return to India, although head coach Ricky Ponting is making efforts to persuade them.

Other Australians, including Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie, along with Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai and South Africa's Marco Jansen, are expected to return. The team is on track to reach its first playoffs since 2014.

Ponting has demonstrated his commitment by disembarking from a flight home after the ceasefire announcement last week. The team's support staff, including Brad Haddin and James Hopes, remained in India.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, although eliminated from the competition, are hopeful that captain Pat Cummins and batter Travis Head will return for the remaining three league matches.

Delhi Capitals, still vying for a top-four finish, reached out to their overseas players on Tuesday morning and are awaiting their responses. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is among DC's crucial players.

The World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa is set for June 11 in London, leaving little time for players who opt to participate in the IPL playoffs.