While it looks highly likely that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will be held behind closed doors, if it gets the nod of health experts and advisors amid the coronavirus outbreak, the participation of overseas players is bound to get affected due to the government’s recent visa restrictions. Amid such a scenario, Cricket Australia has had its say on Aussie players’ participation in the cash-rich league.
Speaking to Sportstar, a communications manager with Cricket Australia, left the final call of participation in the hands of individual players as the CA and IPL have no affiliation whatsoever.
“The IPL is not affiliated with CA as a separate competition featuring individual Australian players, whose contracts are directly with their franchises,” the communications manager said. “From a CA perspective, we continue to monitor the situation, particularly looking at the advice provided by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and other relevant government agencies, including the Australian Institute of Sport, which has outlined a coordinated approach for all Australian sports.”
An IPL franchise official, on Thursday, had asked the BCCI to work with the government in getting IPL’s foreign lot an exemption into the new visa restrictions that have been imposed by the Indian government. While there’s been no development in the case as yet, the current ruling means overseas players wouldn’t be allowed inside India till April 15.
A manager of one of a prominent Australian cricketer who is to play in the IPL season 13, suggested that the situation is presently too ‘premature’ to comment.
“We aren’t in a position to comment at this stage particularly given we’ve not received any advice from India/IPL team. Cricket Australia has not made any comment in relation to this. I think it’s too early,” he said.
