IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals demand clarity on availability of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje

The sudden announcement of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa has forced Delhi Capitals to seek clarity from the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the availability of the Proteas players. The series which has been announced will be played in the month of April and the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League is expected to start on April 10. 

Delhi Capitals have two South African fast-bowlers Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. Both the pacers are quite crucial for the franchise as they had done the bulk of bowling for the franchise in the previous season of the IPL in the United Arab Emirates. Rabada had picked up 30 wickets while Nortje had taken 22 scalps in the season. 

According to the report of Cricbuzz, it seems that some of the teams have picked up this issue with the BCCI, including Delhi Capitals. Other than Rabada and Nortje, there are a few other Proteas players who are there in the franchises. For example, Chennai Super Kings have Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi in their mix. 

Reports suggest CSA will reveal the availability of their players for the IPL 2021 soon

As far as reports which have emerged are concerned, the South African players could miss the start of the IPL. It could be the first two matches, or the first two weeks, depending on the exact schedule and the quarantine requirements for the players. BCCI has in return expressed that Cricket South Africa (CSA) will soon let them know about the availability of the South Africa players. 

The South African team will play a three-match ODI series followed by a four-match T20I series against Pakistan. The entire tour is scheduled to happen between April 2 to 16. Hence, it is a given that if Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada are selected to play in that series, the fast-bowling duo will miss the first few games of the IPL. 

Other than these players, the other South African players in the IPL won’t have this problem supposedly. David Miller, who plays for Rajasthan Royals has not been picked in the ODI team recently. While the other player is AB de Villiers of Royal Challengers Bangalore, who has retired from international cricket.