Cricket South Africa gives No Objection Certificate (NOC) to their players for participating in IPL 2020

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic had put a temporary halt to all the cricket tournaments and series across the globe for the past four months. However, the cricket boards are now looking forward to resuming the game.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) became the first board to have restarted international cricket after the long break. The West Indies tour of England from July 8 to July 28 marked the return of the game amid the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Simultaneously, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also decided to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) from mid-September. The cash-rich league was supposed to begin from March 29 but due to the rise in coronavirus cases in India, it was suspended indefinitely. However, the Indian board has now “informally” decided to host the tournament from September 19 to November 8 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

10 South African players are bound by IPL contracts this year

With the league set to be held in UAE, foreign players would be able to join their respective IPL franchises as unlike India, there are no overseas travel restrictions in UAE. The Indian government has restricted overseas travel in the country in view of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the foreign players would be needing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective boards to participate in the cash-rich league.

After the New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Cricket South Africa (CSA) has also approved their IPL contracted players to participate in the Indian league by giving them No Object Certificates (NOCs). A total of 10 South African cricketers including the likes of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis are bound by IPL contracts for season 13. 

“Cricket South Africa will definitely provide players with the NOCs for the Indian Premier League,” CSA media manager Koketso Gaofetoge said as quoted by Times Now.

Proteas players participating in IPL this year are: AB de Villiers (RCB), Chris Morris (RCB), Dale Steyn (RCB), Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), Faf du Plessis (CSK), Imran Tahir (CSK), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals), Hardus Viljoen (Kings XI Punjab), and David Miller (Rajasthan Royals).