IPL 2021: Pat Cummins not to return for second leg of the tournament in UAE

 The Board of Control for Cricket in India, in a virtual Special General Meeting, held on Saturday, May 29th, decided to resume the curtailed 14th edition of the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates. 

The league’s current edition was abruptly postponed owing to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases inside the bio-bubble of different teams across different cities. With 29 games being conducted, the edition still has 31 unfinished games, not completing which could cause severe financial losses to the apex board of cricket in India. 

As per the statement issued by the BCCI, the SGM took a unanimous decision to take the IPL to UAE, which was the front-runner to hold the remainder of the tournament ever since its midway halt. Meanwhile, Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders player Pat Cummins is set to give the remainder of the Indian Premier League a miss, despite a heavy contract with his franchise, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Pack cricket schedule might hinder foreign player participation

As the BCCI plans for the smoothest possible resumption of the league, there are challenges aplenty with a busy international calendar and ICC’s Future Tour Programme (FTP) commitments looming over multiple teams. For instance, Australia has a tour to the Caribbean set in line from late June onwards, and later a one-off Test against Afghanistan, followed by the Ashes. 

Australia, in the middle of this, is also planning to tour Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series, while England has  two away series against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively, after they play India at home. BCCI will also have to keep an eye on the Caribbean Premier League schedule (from August 28 to September 19) which poses the threat of many West Indies stars missing out from the IPL. 

Another severe challenge for the board remains to ensure that the players are not burnt out, given all the teams have to participate in the T20 World Cup. India is set to tour UK for six Tests, which includes a five-Test series against England, preceded by the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India also has plans in place to play South Africa in a white-ball home series, whereas New Zealand was set to tour India for two-Test series later this year.   

With multiple international series being on clash or needing a rejig for the IPL, it remains to be seen how the Indian board will ensure the completion of this edition.