IPL 2021: BCCI opens up on availability of overseas players; Bangladesh players not available for the entire season

Ahead of the highly-anticipated mini-auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League on February 18 in Chennai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made all the eight IPL franchises aware about the availability of various overseas countries. It is learned that the Indian board has communicated that apart from the players belonging to Bangladesh, the players of every other country will be available for the entire duration of the marquee event.

The Bangladesh players participating in the T20 Championship will leave the tournament on May 19 or before that if Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) schedules any international outing during the IPL window. Also, there is still some uncertainty regarding the availability of Proteas players in the beginning of the tournament. Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can be in serious trouble if South African cricketers miss the first week of the Indian league.

“Any (Bangladesh) players selected will be unavailable from 19th May or will leave before if any other series is scheduled during the IPL window,” the BCCI wrote to the franchises on Tuesday night as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Further, BCCI put rest to the speculations over the availability of the Australian players in IPL 2021 due to the scheduling of Australia’s domestic tournaments during the same time. The Indian board asserted that Cricket Australia will provide No Objection Certificate (NOC) to all the players selected for IPL.

“The last round of Sheffield Shield, Australia’s domestic first-class cricket competition is scheduled on 3rd April 2021. The final of the Sheffield Shield will be held from 15th-19th April 2021. The NOC will be given to players selected for IPL from 1st April 2021,” BCCI in a mail informed.

BCCI opines on the availability of New Zealand and England players in IPL

England and New Zealand players will also participate in the whole tournament. Meanwhile, BCCI advised the franchises to release the players belonging to both the countries in case their teams fail to make it to the play-offs so that they can participate in the Test series scheduled between New Zealand and England in June 2021.

“In the event of ECB Selectors wishing to select a player for the 1st Test v New Zealand whose franchise has made it through to the knock-out stages of the Tournament, but who is not featuring in the starting XI, the relevant franchise is requested to release such player early so that they can participate in the Test Match,” the BCCI advised the teams.