IPL 2021: RCB bowlers Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson pull out of the tournament citing personal reasons

The list of players opting out of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League due to reasons around the growing concerns of COVID-19 is becoming longer with each passing day. As per the recent official announcement made by the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise, two of their Australian players, leg-spinner Adam Zampa and pacer Kane Richardson have decided to pull out of the tournament citing personal reasons.

CricTracker understands that multiple overseas players are apprehensive about the Covid situation in India, with over a million new infections reported in the week gone by. Richardson and Zampa’s exit call comes hours after Indian spinner and Delhi Capitals’ player Ravichandran Ashwin took to Twitter and announced his decision to not participate in the IPL due to family reasons.

Before him, Andrew Tye, Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowler, flew back to Australia intending to avoid the growing risks in India and the fear of not being able to return to his nation due to flight unavailability. Earlier, reports suggested that two other Australian players had similar concerns, and Richardson and Zampa are understood to be the probable ones.

Apart from Tye, Rajasthan Royals also withstood a blow as opening batsman Liam Livingstone, having spent a considerable amount of time in bio-secure environments in the recent past, cited bubble fatigue as a reason for his opting-out from the tournament.

Managements respects the players’ decision: Royal Challengers Bangalore 

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, on 26th April 2021, tweeted and extended their support to their players.

“Official Announcement: Adam Zampa & Kane Richardson are returning to Australia for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of #IPL2021. Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support,” read the franchise’s tweet.

There are now 14 Australian players participating in the IPL, including the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Pat Cummins, as well as a handful of coaches like Ricky Ponting and Katich and commentators such as Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, and Michael Slater.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia, in a statement released on Monday stated: “Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association remain in regular contact with Australian players, coaches, and commentators taking part in the Indian Premier League, which is being conducted under strict biosecurity protocols. We will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India and the advice of the Australian Government. Our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.”

The IPL is being played in a tightly controlled bio-secure bubble and no one inside that environment has returned a positive test since the tournament began.