IPL 2021: New Zealand cricketers to be available for entire season

New Zealand cricketers are set to be available for the entire 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The same has been confirmed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) a day before the IPL auction for the upcoming edition. Previously, going by reports, the Black Caps cricketers were expected to miss the IPL knockouts due to national duties.

The Kiwis are scheduled to play two Tests against England, starting in the first week of June. However, Richard Brook, an NZC spokesperson, stated that the board would give No Objection Certificates (NOC) to its players.

“Yes, the NOCs would be given and the cricketers would be available for the entire edition,” Brook was quoted as saying.

We’ll see whether we can get the crowd back into the IPL: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), also sounded excited about the upcoming edition. The veteran talked about the prospects of getting crowds back in the tournament. The last edition was played behind closed doors.

“This year is going to be big as well because of what it is. We’ll see whether we can get the crowd back into the IPL, it’s a decision we’ll have to take very shortly. But it’s going to be another great tournament,” Ganguly had said.

Earlier this month, the IPL released the list of 292 cricketers, who would be going under the hammer in the auction, scheduled to take place on February 18 in Chennai. The numbers have been pruned down from 1,114. Out of the players to take part in the auction, 164 are Indians even as 125 are overseas names.

“The VIVO IPL 2021 Player Auction list is out with a total of 292 cricketers set to go under the hammer in Chennai on February 18th, 2021. 1114 cricketers had initially registered for the auction. The final list was then pruned after the eight franchises submitted their shortlist of players,” an IPL release mentioned.

“A total of 164 Indian players, 125 overseas players, and 3 players from Associate Nations will be up for grabs in the VIVO IPL 2021 Player Auction in Chennai,” the release added.